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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illuminated
filled with much light
the display windows of department stores are especially bright at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition
always walks into work with a bright smile on his face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a company that is always looking for bright, ambitious college graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
predicted a bright future for the young math whiz
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
all the signs are bright right now for an economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in cheering
serving to lift one's spirits
a bright and beautiful morning to begin planting our garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
a bright new star on the operatic scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy
we'll have a picnic on the next bright day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Magriñá suggests installing dimmers on all light switches so homeowners can adjust lighting at different times of day, promoting relaxation before bed and brighter light exposure during the day.
—Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
But even those whose egos seemed built for the brightest spotlight weren’t immune to the intense pressure.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bright
Adjective
But sometimes, that bag of onions can go untouched for days, and even weeks, leading to a bright green shoot poking out of the top of it.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
Hungarian Conceptual artist Dóra Maurer, whose fascination with movement and change undergirded a diverse practice marked by bright hues, simple shapes, and uninhibited experimentation, died on February 14.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Magriñá suggests installing dimmers on all light switches so homeowners can adjust lighting at different times of day, promoting relaxation before bed and brighter light exposure during the day.
—Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
But even those whose egos seemed built for the brightest spotlight weren’t immune to the intense pressure.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
Adjective
-
Eloise's shining moment comes in Quinn's To Sir Phillip, With Love, and follows her love story with Sir Phillip Crane—yes, that Phillip, who married his late brother's true love Marina Thompson.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Her world, fueled by her life, was the shining and irrefutable definition of integrity.—
Josh Peter,
USA Today,
20 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Where magazines and newspapers once were, glass stand-ins bearing skyline imagery will occupy illuminated lightbox shelves.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Keep in mind that the 90-percent illuminated moon will also brighten the sky, making faint planets like Uranus harder to spot.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What better way to celebrate all that is to come than with a colorful, cheerful manicure?—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Life underground is no longer the Pleasantville-like, cheerful place viewers first encountered in Season 1.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Black bears are one of Carr's favorite animals, as their playful antics and uncanny idiosyncrasies reveal an intelligent soul behind beady eyes.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Heldman and Nicholson’s lucid, intelligent script thus assigns characters very different, more nuanced motivations from those we are used to in iterations of this story.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bugbears of this season — wasting promising chances (though Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce deserves credit for many of those) and some vulnerability to counter-attacks — remained.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
One particularly promising trend is barbecue joints baking their own bread, like Goldee’s BBQ in Fort Worth and Smokemade Meats + Eats in Orlando.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With an attorney on the plaintiffs’ side of the lawsuit colluding with the city’s team, the city could settle the claims on favorable terms.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Warren and Garcia raised ethics questions about whether ballroom donors were promised favorable treatment by the administration in exchange for their contributions.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dylan Volantis completed an outstanding seven-inning masterpiece with three strikeouts in his final inning of work.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Fried specifically recommends the Superior plum cultivar as an outstanding option for spring planting.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Stewart’s makeup artist credits the Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten Marbleized Blush for the star’s radiant complexion.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There is a dollar amount that could convince any five-star to move to the radiant city of Sacramento.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
