Synonyms for lighten
ˈlaɪt nlight·en

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lighten

   Etymologically, to alleviate is to lift a burden toward oneself, and so lighten it for the bearer; to relieve is to lift it back from the bearer, nearly or quite away; to remove is to take it away altogether. Alleviate is thus less than relieve; relieve, ordinarily, less than remove. We alleviate, relieve or remove the trouble; we relieve, not alleviate, the sufferer. Assuage is, by derivation, to sweeten; mitigate, to make mild; moderate, to bring within measure; abate, to beat down, and so make less. We abate a fever; lessen anxiety; moderate passions or desires; lighten burdens; mitigate or alleviate pain; reduce inflammation; soften, assuage, or moderate grief; we lighten or mitigate punishments; we relieve any suffering of body or mind that admits of help, comfort, or remedy. Alleviate has been often confused with allay. Compare ALLAY.

   Synonyms:
   abate, alleviate, assuage, lessen, mitigate, moderate, reduce, relieve, remove, soften

   Antonyms:
   aggravate, augment, embitter, enhance, heighten, increase, intensify, magnify, make worse

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lighten, lighten up, buoy upverb

   make more cheerful

   "the conversation lightened me up a bit"

   Synonyms:
   relieve, buoy up, lighten up, brighten, buoy

   Antonyms:
   weigh on, darken, weigh down

2. lightenverb

   reduce the weight on; make lighter

   "she lightened the load on the tired donkey"

   Synonyms:
   relieve, buoy up, lighten up, brighten

   Antonyms:
   darken, weigh on, weigh down

3. lighten, lighten up, buoy upverb

   become more cheerful

   "after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit"

   Synonyms:
   relieve, buoy up, lighten up, brighten, buoy

   Antonyms:
   weigh on, darken, weigh down

4. brighten, lighten up, lightenverb

   make lighter or brighter

   "The paint will brighten the room"

   Synonyms:
   clear up, buoy up, light up, lighten up, brighten, relieve, clear

   Antonyms:
   darken, weigh down, weigh on

5. lighten, lighten upverb

   become lighter

   "The room lightened up"

   Synonyms:
   relieve, buoy up, lighten up, brighten

   Antonyms:
   darken, weigh on, weigh down

6. relieve, lightenverb

   alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive

   "relieve the pressure and the stress"; "lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents"

   Synonyms:
   exempt, lighten up, relieve, unbosom, buoy up, allay, excuse, free, ease, let off, salvage, brighten, assuage, alleviate, salve, remedy, take over, still, palliate, save

   Antonyms:
   weigh down, weigh on, darken

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Cheer
   • Mitigate

Editors ContributionRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alleviate

   etymologically, to alleviate is to lift a burden toward oneself, and so lighten it for the bearer; to relieve is to lift it back from the bearer, nearly or quite away; to remove is to take it away altogether. alleviate is thus less than relieve; relieve, ordinarily, less than remove. we alleviate, relieve or remove the trouble; we relieve, not alleviate, the sufferer. assuage is, by derivation, to sweeten; mitigate, to make mild; moderate, to bring within measure; abate, to beat down, and so make less. we abate a fever; lessen anxiety; moderate passions or desires; lighten burdens; mitigate or alleviate pain; reduce inflammation;[34] soften, a ssuage, or moderate grief; we lighten or mitigate punishments; we relieve any suffering of body or mind that admits of help, comfort, or remedy. alleviate has been often confused with allay. compare allay.

   Submitted by santoshk.61727 on June 10, 2023  

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lightenverb

   Synonyms:
   flash [said of lightning]

2. lightenverb

   Synonyms:
   [Colloquial.] grow lighter, clear off

3. lightenverb

   Synonyms:
   illuminate, irradiate, illume, light

4. lightenverb

   Synonyms:
   ease, make lighter, make easier

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lightenverb

   Synonyms:
   light, illuminate, illume, ease, relieve, alleviate

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "lighten":

   alleviate, ease, relieve, reduce, mitigate, lessen

How to pronounce lighten?

How to say lighten in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use lighten in a sentence?

1. Norman Levine:

   A lot of investors have piled into the energy sector. It's time to leave, they're going back down again. That's an unsustainable rise, investors would be wise to lighten up, if not totally exit energy stocks for now.

2. Mr Smith:

   In peak hour you’re having to stop at traffic lights and wait two cycles for it to turn green, this idea is not going to have much impact if so much traffic is going bumper-to-bumper, but as traffic lights lighten up, people will have a much smoother journey.

3. Erskine Bowles:

   Sir Howard is among the finest directors I've ever served with, his understanding of global economics, risk, and their impact on global financial institutions is invaluable. He also brings a wonderful wit that can lighten a moment in just the right manner.

4. Lex Van Dam:

   The unrelenting rally in European shares continues, helped by the weak euro and improving economic data. There is no reason right now to lighten up and I continue to be a buyer.

5. Ripley D. Saunders:

   Just being happy helps other souls along Their burdens may be heavy and they not strong And your own sky will lighten, If other skies you brighten, by just being happy with a heart full of song.