1
as in bright
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light
the light glowed brightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
"And how are we today?" the nurse asked brightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in colorfully
in a manner that is colorful and tends to arouse gaiety
parade marchers carrying brightly painted banners
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 brightly
At least as memorable was a New Year’s Eve show at the Tune Inn in downtown New Haven where the band blazed brightly.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The Verde had started brightly, but Charlotte FC’s extra-man onslaught simply overpowered them.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The brightly colored blue, yellow and green play structures include slides, monkey bars and climbing ropes.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
That area will soon rotate to a collaboration with Roller Rabbit, a colorful and brightly patterned pajama brand, that will include swimwear, sundresses and pool accessories.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Check, for instance, the brightly orange Supra, or the black, vintage-style Charger.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Researchers believe the dinosaur's crest — a large bony ridge rising from the top of the dinosaur's skull — was brightly colored and covered in keratin.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
National Geographic also warned that while some planets, like Venus or Jupiter, might glow brightly, others, like Neptune, may only be visible through binoculars or a telescope.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Even in times of challenge, setback and immense heartache, the spirit of 1776 has always shone through very brightly.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The Verde had started brightly, but Charlotte FC’s extra-man onslaught simply overpowered them.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
The brightly colored blue, yellow and green play structures include slides, monkey bars and climbing ropes.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
That area will soon rotate to a collaboration with Roller Rabbit, a colorful and brightly patterned pajama brand, that will include swimwear, sundresses and pool accessories.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Check, for instance, the brightly orange Supra, or the black, vintage-style Charger.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Researchers believe the dinosaur's crest — a large bony ridge rising from the top of the dinosaur's skull — was brightly colored and covered in keratin.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
National Geographic also warned that while some planets, like Venus or Jupiter, might glow brightly, others, like Neptune, may only be visible through binoculars or a telescope.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Even in times of challenge, setback and immense heartache, the spirit of 1776 has always shone through very brightly.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightly
Adverb
-
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos likewise ripped Cameron, but Sarandos would still cheerfully kill to acquire a single new Cameron film over a hundred Red Notices and Rebel Moons.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
One lovely sequence sees an outdoor lunch at the lodge turn into an impromptu dance party with a live musician singing some cheerfully inauthentic bossa nova.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
And the patchwork style of Brij Sadanah’s direction enhances the colorfully over-the-top story, which recasts Wuthering Heights as a sensationalistic revenge drama.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
For a good chunk of this century, however, he has become known mostly for his lush and colorfully vivid covers for Marvel.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Bogdanovich’s breakthrough came in 1971 with The Last Picture Show, an ensemble drama about growing up in a small Texas town, sensitively told and luminously shot.—
Lili Anolik,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Tarr went on to direct the accomplished The Man From London, which starred Tilda Swinton, before retiring after The Turin Horse, a luminously stark period chamber drama about a father and his adult daughter living alone in the barren Hungarian countryside over the span of about a week.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The fever dream of a sequel that’s also a prequel takes everything good about the first movie and turns it up to 100, happily ignoring any dose of realism in favor of silly, colorful, karaoke-ready fun.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For two decades, Gulf governments played the role of rich aunt — writing checks, asking few questions, and happily letting New York bankers run the show.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightly. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
