Lighten

To reduce weight, pressure, darkness, or seriousness.

Reach for it when describing a real decrease in a burden or a softer mood

A second volunteer could lighten the workload during the busiest hour.

• playful

  cheer up

  informal emotional encouragement is the sole aim

  not when Cheer up can sound dismissive when the burden is serious.

• everyday

  brighten

  more light, color, or cheer is the result

  not when Brighten does not address weight or responsibility.

• warm

  ease

  pain, strain, or difficulty is reduced

  not when Ease does not fit making a color or physical object lighter.

• warm

  relieve

  someone is freed from part of a burden

  not when Relieve can remove a person from duty rather than make the duty lighter.

• professional

  reduce

  a measurable amount becomes smaller

  not when Reduce is neutral and lacks the sense of relief.

• formal

  alleviate

  a problem or suffering becomes less severe

  not when Alleviate is too formal for changing a shade or casual mood.

• literary

  soften

  tone, impact, or appearance becomes less harsh

  not when Soften may preserve the same quantity of work.

• darken
• burden
• intensify

• lighten the load

  Shared transport will lighten the load for each household.

• lighten the mood

  The children's drawings helped lighten the mood in the shelter.

• lighten a color

  A little white pigment will lighten the color without cooling it.