What does slighten mean?
Slighten means (ambitransitive) To make or become slight; make or become less pronounced, less noticeable, or less obvious..
Slighten
/ˈslaɪ.tən/ · verb
Meaning
(ambitransitive) To make or become slight; make or become less pronounced, less noticeable, or less obvious..
Definitions by Sense
- (ambitransitive) To make or become slight; make or become less pronounced, less noticeable, or less obvious.
- (transitive) To slight.
- (transitive, regional) To level out, smooth, or flatten.
Example Sentences
His smile slightened as if he knew they talked of him.
With tissue I softened my rouge, slightened my lipstick; studying my redesigns in my green compact's mirror I marveled, seeing yet another strange face.
[…] as God forbid that anyone should hint a slightening word of what our sons and brothers are doing just now, and doing for us!
They may take ill or feel slightened for not having been approached directly.
It is an odious wisdom to blaspheme, / Much more to slighten, or deny their powers
to slighten the sheets out
Synonyms for slighten
Antonyms for slighten
Related Words
Word Forms
- slightens
- slightening
- slightened
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for slighten?
The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.
What is the opposite of slighten?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use slighten in a sentence?
His smile slightened as if he knew they talked of him.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.