brightening

verb

present participle of brighten
as in lightening
to become glad or hopeful the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brightening Some also have other antiaging superstars like retinol, brightening ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants like vitamin E, or niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to strengthen the skin barrier. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026 There aren't any huge economic reports on the docket either, brightening the spotlight on the stream of earnings updates. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 Some mornings call for brightening dark circles, while others require extra depuffing or help smoothing pesky fine lines. — Vivien Lee, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026 From setting up special meals to just brightening days with smiles and genuine care, the staff here lift the already luxury experience to the next level. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Here, the exclusive tech is enhanced with firming peptides, caffeine, and marine ferment, plus brightening kakudu plum extract. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 Though it's already packed with energizing caffeine and circulation-boosting ginseng, the formula takes the brightening powers up a notch with light-reflecting particles that could pass for a full eight hours of sleep. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 1 Oct. 2026 Crepe Control® Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 The narrow harvest window and vitamin C plus niacinamide combination are what set it apart from other brightening serums on shelves. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightening
  1. lightening
  2. glowing
  3. reviving
Verb
  • Prescription and over-the-counter skin products, especially retinoids, exfoliating acids, acne treatments, and lightening products.
    — Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But lightening the blame hits a road bump with the word prevention.
    — Marie Lisette Rimer, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of lightening
Verb
  • The deep-space image reveals a 230-light-year-wide swathe of the glowing emission nebula N159, threaded with denser filaments of reddish molecular hydrogen that hide countless energetic young stars.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The yellow Pokémon mascot had glowing glasses and ears that changed colors along with the set.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • The tale is energized by the thoughtful performances of Hanns Zischler, as Mann, and Sandra Hüller, as the author’s daughter Erika, who accompanies him while reviving conflicts from her own past.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Ryan Gosling is reviving one of his long-dormant side gigs just in time for Halloween.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of reviving

Browse Nearby Words

brightened
brightening
brightens
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Cite this Entry

“Brightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightening. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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