bright 1 of 2

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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

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bright

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adverb

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bright colors
vivid colors
vibrant colors
brilliant colors
bold colors
loud colors
a bright day
a sunny day
a clear day
a brilliant day
a dazzling day
a sunshiny day
a bright future
a good future
a hopeful future
a brilliant future
a vibrant future
a sunny future
bright students
smart students
intelligent students
sharp students
brilliant students
brainy students

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
The extent of the damage is not clear, but footage circulating online on Thursday appears to show at least one bright flash and plumes of smoke at the site. Ellie Cook john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 The moon is visible as a bright object toward the left of the frame at the start of the video. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 June 2025 While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships - especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat. Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 For the second time time in less than two weeks, Detroit was forced to send one its brightest young starting pitchers to the injured list. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
Adjective
  • Attendees rode in support of and alongside community member Eva Zamora, who is a shining example of how to live your best life with Parkinson’s disease and takes cycle classes at EōS regularly, a news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Her next shining moment comes when two young sisters enter the hospital.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That sort of homey detail and Karl’s cheerful disposition belie the ghastly stories that her memory holds, the ones her guest has come to hear — and capture on film.
    Christine DiMattei, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
  • But thanks to the marketers of marigolds, trumpet vines, and hydrangeas, my once-bleak inbox now also blushes with cheerful pastels.
    Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Lucy’s colleagues refer to men like him—tall, handsome, in finance, intelligent, urbane—as unicorns.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
  • Celebrate intelligent risk-taking, not just polished outcomes.
    Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • The most promising opportunities often lie at the intersection of significant pain and institutional blindness—where inefficiency has been accepted as inevitable.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • As of now, the seemingly inevitable mass adoption of electrification has yet to live up to the hype, internal-combustion engines continue firing on all cylinders, and hybrid technology appears to be the most promising path ahead.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • The players are pushing to revamp the current revenue-sharing system to be more favorable for them, one that gives them a bigger share of money coming in from the new NBA media deal and the independent Ion pact.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 13 June 2025
  • Flood watches are issued when conditions are favorable for flooding to notify residents to be prepared.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bregman is an outstanding defensive third baseman, which is the position Devers had played during his nine season tenure with the Red Sox.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • The 50-year-old British soccer legend was awarded a knighthood along with Oscar winner Gary Oldman and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey in Charles' birthday honors list, which recognizes individual outstanding achievements and contributions to British society.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • True to its name, this skin tint feels akin to a serum and is infused with serum-like ingredients, such as squalane, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for an absolutely radiant, glowing finish.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 11 June 2025
  • Hurley, wearing a cowboy hat, sports a radiant smile as the couple leans against an old wooden fence in the middle of what appears to be an open field, not unlike the one seen in Hurley's new post.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • The best time to spray poison ivy is on a sunny, calm day when temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F and no rain is in the forecast.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
  • Close blinds or curtains on sunny days to block heat buildup.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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