1
as in bright
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light
the light glowed brightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of brightly
First, find Copernicus shining brightly 10 degrees above the lunar equator, brightening the dark basaltic plains on the western lunar surface, and Tycho, which dominates the southern hemisphere of Earth's natural satellite around the full moon phase.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But much like other corals, those born in the darkness can be brightly colored.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
And brightly colored spools of bare fiber in green, blue and orange offered a glimpse into the digital threads that will power the future of artificial intelligence and data centers around North Carolina and the country.
—Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
During these Venus cycles, the planet shines brightly at twilight and is usually the most noticeable point of light in the sky in the western horizon.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
While the comedic side of this rom-com could shine even more brightly with further development, the play already has a lot of heart.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
The spotlight shines brightly on you!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
That Wednesday, the rain clouds had cleared and the sun shone brightly.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But much like other corals, those born in the darkness can be brightly colored.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
And brightly colored spools of bare fiber in green, blue and orange offered a glimpse into the digital threads that will power the future of artificial intelligence and data centers around North Carolina and the country.
—Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026
During these Venus cycles, the planet shines brightly at twilight and is usually the most noticeable point of light in the sky in the western horizon.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
While the comedic side of this rom-com could shine even more brightly with further development, the play already has a lot of heart.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
The spotlight shines brightly on you!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
That Wednesday, the rain clouds had cleared and the sun shone brightly.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightly
Adverb
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In Atlanta, my hometown airport, cheerfully marketed as the world’s busiest, had descended into organized chaos.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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In Atlanta, my hometown airport, cheerfully marketed as the world’s busiest, had descended into organized chaos.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The characters are colorfully dressed but also comfortably.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
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Sean McGinley’s sound design ties it all together with atmospheric cues that bridge the eras as do Jamie Godwin’s colorfully gorgeous projection designs.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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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
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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
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The special four-part event finds Malcolm happily in a relationship and as a father, but when his family tries to get back into the picture, chaos ensues.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The pinafore-style dress was in a twee ditsy print and flowed well past her knees, while a leather belt sat happily on her waist without exerting effort to cinch.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightly. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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