brilliant

adjective

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bril·liant | \ ˈbril-yənt

Definition of brilliant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : very bright : glittering a brilliant light

2a : striking, distinctive a brilliant example

b : distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness brilliant scientists

3 British : very good : excellent

brilliant

noun

Definition of brilliant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brilliance

Other Words from brilliant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about brilliant

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Choose the Right Synonym for brilliant

Adjective

bright, brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

Examples of brilliant in a Sentence

Adjective a brilliant star in the sky a store decorated in brilliant colors He pitched a brilliant game. She gave a brilliant performance. She has a brilliant mind. Noun the diamond cutter set out an array of brilliants to show the various ways the diamond could be cut

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Andy is brilliant and has the highest of high standards. — Wsj Staff, WSJ, "Read Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s Letter to Shareholders," 15 Apr. 2021 Our legislators don’t have to be brilliant to see this. — Scott Burns, Dallas News, "Beyond whirled peas: Let’s save our kids’ futures by helping their teachers," 11 Apr. 2021 But this fictionalized look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, who created what became the Japanese Zero fighter plane used in World War II, is brilliant. — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, "The best movies to watch with family, from 'Up' and 'Black Panther' to 'Wizard of Oz'," 10 Apr. 2021 Musgrove, one of the many pitchers the Padres traded for this past offseason, was brilliant Friday night against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. — Jace Evans, USA TODAY, "Joe Musgrove throws first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history," 10 Apr. 2021 That’s not to say that the advances in technology in this area aren’t brilliant. — Mark Flynn, Forbes, "Five Converging Trends Driving The Need For High-Performance Leadership," 9 Apr. 2021 There’s just so much wonderful stuff in there, and Michael’s been brilliant at going in there and grabbing it all. — Brianna Holt, Rolling Stone, "Prince’s Sister on Honoring Her Brother’s Vault of Unreleased Music," 8 Apr. 2021 Grateful Dead tie-dyes, UCLA sure was brilliant in overtime. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Thrilling season for Alabama basketball left us wanting more," 29 Mar. 2021 The men’s basketball program at Oregon State has been brilliant this month. — John Canzano, oregonlive, "Canzano: Oregon State men’s basketball team lifts an entire campus," 29 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brilliant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.