lightens
Reduces the load
Lightens works in two directions: making less heavy and making less dark.
A load lightens when weight is removed; a mood lightens when tension eases.
The sky lightens at dawn.
To lighten up is to become less serious or severe: Lighten up, it was just a joke.
Hair lightens in the sun or with bleach.
Provides light to
- glowsEmits soft light
- brightensMakes lighter or cheerier
- shinesEmits or reflects radiance
- gleamsShines with brief flashes
radiates · shimmers · sparkles · whitens · bleaches · fades · pales · softens
Reduces severity or difficulty
- alleviatesReduces severity of
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
- relievesLessens or substitutes for
- diminishesBecomes smaller or weaker
softens · mitigates · reduces · lifts · unburdened · decreases · moderates · tempers
illuminates
Provides light to
gleams · radiates · shimmers · sparkles · whitens · bleaches · fades · pales · softens · diffuses
eases
Reduces severity or difficulty
- alleviatesReduces severity of
- lessensMakes smaller in degree
- relievesLessens or substitutes for
diminishes · softens · mitigates · reduces · lifts · unburdened · decreases · moderates · tempers · dilutes
cheers
Casual toast or farewell
elevates · gladdens · enlivens · refreshes · encourages · reassures · warms · comforts · relaxes · soothes
lifts
Raises or carries upward
aerates · leavens · fluffs · unloads · offloads · takes off · strips away
- lighten upBecome less serious
- cigarette lighterPortable fire-starting tool
- lightened upBecame less serious
- lightening upBecoming less grave
- lighter fluidFlammable liquid for ignition
- lightens the load
lighten, delighted, lighter, enlighten, enlightened, lightened, enlightening, enlightenment, lightening