Synonyms for brighten
Definitions
- v. 1
To make bright or brighter in color.
We brightened the room with a new coat of paint.
- v. 2
To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
Related words
- Phrases
- brighten up
Forms
- Past participle
- brightened
e.g. brightened → enlivened, livened, cheered, illuminated…
Example sentences
- cheer He tried to cheer up his wife, but wasn't able to.
- illuminate The sun started to come out and illuminate the sky.
- liven We've got to liven things up here!
- enliven I shall endeavor to enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality.
- shine The stars shine brightly in the vastness of space.
- lighten Ziri wanted to lighten up the mood with a few jokes.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| brighten | rising | |
| cheer | rising | |
| illuminate | rising | |
| liven | rising | |
| enliven | steady | |
| shine | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- gild1
- 5 letters
- clear1, shine1, cheer1, liven2
- 6 letters
- polish2, arouse2
- 7 letters
- lighten2, animate3, quicken2, enliven3, burnish2
- 8 letters
- inspirit, undarken
- 9 letters
- stimulate3, enlighten3, irradiate4
- 10 letters
- illuminate4, invigorate4, exhilarate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (liven2 = 2 syllables).