Home / Thesaurus / Brighten

Find the word that fits

Brighten: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy

26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives

90,593 searchable synonym connections

350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type

Start with the meaning

Brighten

To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →

50 useful connections shown 8 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.

Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 4

Alter 76% connected

To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Change 76% connected

To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change t…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Modify 76% connected

To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms o…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Vary 76% connected

To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance, substance, position, or the like; to make different by a partial change; to modify; as, to var…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 2

Clear 92% connected

Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Lighten 92% connected

To descend; to light.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Antonym 2

Darken 94% connected

To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure; as, a darkened room.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Definition Compare both words

Darken 94% connected

To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure; as, a darkened room.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Definition Compare both words

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.