bright 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrīt How to pronounce bright (audio)
Definition of brightnext
1
as in shining
giving off or reflecting much light in the desert the sun was so bright that it hurt my eyes the moon is bright tonight

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2
as in illuminated
filled with much light the display windows of department stores are especially bright at Christmastime

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3
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition always walks into work with a bright smile on his face

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4
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a company that is always looking for bright, ambitious college graduates

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5
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope predicted a bright future for the young math whiz

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6
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome all the signs are bright right now for an economic boom

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7
as in cheering
serving to lift one's spirits a bright and beautiful morning to begin planting our garden

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8
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a bright new star on the operatic scene

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9
as in radiant
having or being an outward sign of good feelings (as of love, confidence, or happiness) a room full of summer interns with bright, eager faces

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10
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy we'll have a picnic on the next bright day

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bright

2 of 2

adverb

as in brightly
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light the storm passed, and once again the sun shone bright

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bright differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bright are brilliant, luminous, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is brilliant a more appropriate choice than bright?

While the synonyms brilliant and bright are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

In what contexts can luminous take the place of bright?

While in some cases nearly identical to bright, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for bright?

The meanings of lustrous and bright largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might radiant be a better fit than bright?

Although the words radiant and bright have much in common, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bright
Adjective
Colors like the perfectly balanced red Ruby Woo, deep beige Velvet Teddy and bright orchid Heroine are beauty-industry standbys, and the brand offers more than 150 lipstick shades in total. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Chicken thighs seasoned with a bright lemon-herb rub roast briefly before apple wedges, slices of delicata squash (no peeling required), and fennel seeds go into the pan. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2026 He's all suited up in a bright blue waterproof jacket, holding in his small hands a pair of binoculars that hang around his neck. — Janet W. Lee, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Chase Sui Wonders steps out in bright florals for summer in New York City on July 31. — People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
  1. shining
  2. illuminated
  3. cheerful
  4. intelligent
  5. promising
  6. favorable
  7. outstanding
  8. radiant
Adjective
  • At a time of so much partisanship in Congress, especially related to health care, breakthrough legislation is a shining example of how commonsense policies that support patient care and innovation can achieve broad support.
    — Josh Makower, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Those memories will remain some of the most shining and unforgettable moments of my life.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of shining
Adjective
  • Several speakers, including some as young as 10, told the City Council that the illuminated sports fields were needed for Davis’ young athletes.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • But with those distinctive, and complex, twin-star-design LED headlights, accentuated by lovely rose-gold detailing and more illuminated Maybach logos, the vehicle does have a stronger, more individual face.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
Definition of illuminated
Adjective
  • At a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden in 2012, their cheerful father-son bond shines among the crowd.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Eva Chen’s table-and-stool set makes the most of this fleeting chapter with sculptural silhouettes, cheerful colors, and four whimsical stools—each with its own shape—that let everyone claim their own seat.
    — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • This helps explain why intelligent, experienced leaders can continue producing results while missing the early signs that their judgment, relationships, health, or influence are beginning to slide.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Inside the new controller Rather than storing data itself, the MXC chip acts as an intelligent bridge between a server’s processor and external DDR5 memory.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • That means keeping Buxton happy, which means keeping Ryan and adding on, not trading him and two of their most promising pitching prospects.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • The Carolina Panthers had originally thought that their promising rookie wide receiver would be back for the bulk of the 2026 season after suffering a knee injury on Wednesday.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • India’s busiest wedding and festive season typically runs from October to April, timed with auspicious dates and favorable weather.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • The new district snakes up through Kansas City’s urban core, in an attempt to create a district more favorable for Republicans in the 5th District.
    — Jack Harvel July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Hawley criticized Fauci for accepting cash prizes from nonprofits that award money to people for outstanding achievements in given fields and for his embrace of celebrity at the height of the pandemic.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • Each being an outstanding and influential wine producing family, their collective power as a group is unparalleled.
    — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • So if your skin can take it, this miracle worker will give you clear, smooth texture with the most enviable radiant glow.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 July 2026
  • Bradley, 16, was a joyful child with a radiant smile, her family said.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of radiant

Browse Nearby Words

brigantines
bright
brighten
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Cite this Entry

“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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