As the door closed behind the Inspector the atmosphere lightened.

The four aircraft landed safely, and the atmosphere in the control room suddenly lightened to an almost giddy buzz.

They both giggled as Christy repeated the Major's reaction to her proposals, the atmosphere lightening a little.

The moment was past, and he let the atmosphere lighten again.

The atmosphere in the room had lightened considerably.

As it began to appear that the operation would be a success, the atmosphere noticeably lightened.

For a moment it seemed that the atmosphere was lightening, and Steve relenting.

The atmosphere lightened considerably during the next weeks.

For the first time the atmosphere lightened and everyone laughed.

The atmosphere now had lightened a good deal.