brightened; brightening
ˈbrīt-niŋ 
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Melissa Roberts-MatarExamples of brighten in a Sentence
He brightened the picture on the television.
Flowers can brighten any room.
The good news brightened her mood.
The sky brightened after the storm.
Business prospects brightened last month.
Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hudson's, and potentially Belichick's presence at the competition will only brighten the national spotlight on it.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight outdoor security camera brightens your driveway with a 50% discount while capturing clear footage day or night.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
That Italian genius has brightened the whole world.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The warm peachy/coral hue mimics the natural flush that comes from sunshine, instantly brightening the complexion with a dewy, radiant finish.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight outdoor security camera brightens your driveway with a 50% discount while capturing clear footage day or night.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
That Italian genius has brightened the whole world.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The warm peachy/coral hue mimics the natural flush that comes from sunshine, instantly brightening the complexion with a dewy, radiant finish.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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