Synonyms of brightens

brightens

verb

present tense third-person singular of brighten

as in lightens

to become glad or hopeful

the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lightens
• glows
• revives
• looks up
• cheers (up)
• encourages
• perks (up)
• rejoices
• sparkles
• radiates
• bucks up
• beams
• gladdens
• heartens
• livens (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• darkens
• saddens
• despairs
• broods
• frets
• desponds
• mopes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brightens

At this, Newsom brightens, mentioning a framed photograph at home, a black-and-white image of Kennedy kneeling in front of a young boy next to an old beat-up car. — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Hydrogen peroxide brightens whites and removes stains without damaging fabric like bleach. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026

The solid showing brightens the outlook two weeks before the Sun Belt opener. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

There’s also caffeine, which brightens a tired-looking complexion and helps offset puffy undereyes. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Your 11th House of Friends and Community brightens, encouraging you to reconnect with allies and contribute your inventive angle. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026

The background star gradually brightens and then fades as the two stars move out of alignment. — Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Along with many of the brand’s red light therapy tools, this device helps minimize fine lines and wrinkles, brightens your complexion, and, well, makes your skin look better. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

And as a lamp lights up a dark room, our faithfulness to God brightens the path for others, including government officials, to be more faithful, too. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026