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
Salt, self-explanatory; fat, for flavor; acid, to brighten a dish; and heat, from spices and the fire on which food is cooked.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
In This Article Take It Easy With Greens Pick a Combo With Staying Power
Rely On Dependable Winners
The Three Rules of Container TLC
These summer show-off container gardens will brighten up any porch or patio all season long—even in the Southern heat.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Her eyes brightened at the mention of her furry friend.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Like every Twain biographer, Chernow mentions Twain’s anecdote about being born when Halley’s comet brightened the sky.
—Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
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Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
In This Article Take It Easy With Greens Pick a Combo With Staying Power
Rely On Dependable Winners
The Three Rules of Container TLC
These summer show-off container gardens will brighten up any porch or patio all season long—even in the Southern heat.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Her eyes brightened at the mention of her furry friend.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Like every Twain biographer, Chernow mentions Twain’s anecdote about being born when Halley’s comet brightened the sky.
—Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 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 18 May. 2025.
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