1.   I smile at her to lighten the atmosphere.

2.   Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere.

3.   Our roguish waiter managed to lighten the atmosphere with some welcome wisecracks, but the food showed little evidence of his humor or flair.

4.   They pale in comparison with the euphoric ceramic tomb figures that served to lighten the atmosphere of a tomb and traveled with the dead to paradise.

5.   That team at least knew how to lighten the atmosphere.

6.   The oppressive atmosphere was not lightened by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who called on Christians and Muslims around the world to wage holy war against Israel.

7.   To lighten the atmosphere, the four delegations plan a trip to a dairy farm Thursday, said Chen Jian, Chinese assistant foreign minister.

8.   Washington, too, said the streaker lightened the atmosphere.

9.   In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, the village held a party last the weekend with a costumed parade and a band.