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
Women in brightly colored dresses danced in shoes that loudly clicked across the floor.
—
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Those stars burn through their fuel quickly, shine brightly, and then — overwhelmingly — end their lives in a core-collapse supernova.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
This results in the gas and dust glowing brightly in X-rays.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Some cells glowed brightly due to high activity, others dimmed with weaker expression, while some switched off entirely.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
And as long as rival options look as brightly colored as ever, many food-makers aren't willing to be the first to go dull.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
The Fairy Garden is an unexpected find, resembling a hobbit garden, riddled with rocks that have been fashioned into tiny stone houses with brightly hued doors.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Behind them were two rows of brightly colored kayaks emerging from the low-lying fog.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
And in this part of his life, passion burns brightly.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
Those stars burn through their fuel quickly, shine brightly, and then — overwhelmingly — end their lives in a core-collapse supernova.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
This results in the gas and dust glowing brightly in X-rays.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Some cells glowed brightly due to high activity, others dimmed with weaker expression, while some switched off entirely.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
And as long as rival options look as brightly colored as ever, many food-makers aren't willing to be the first to go dull.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
The Fairy Garden is an unexpected find, resembling a hobbit garden, riddled with rocks that have been fashioned into tiny stone houses with brightly hued doors.
—Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Behind them were two rows of brightly colored kayaks emerging from the low-lying fog.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
And in this part of his life, passion burns brightly.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightly
Adverb
-
In the film, Maddie cheerfully navigates the politics of her jealous co-worker (Claudia O’Doherty), exacting boss (Connor O’Malley) and lesbian BFF (Berlant) at the sunny studios of Gourmaybe.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The song cheerfully encourages kids to use the potty at pivotal times throughout the day—namely before heading to school and before climbing in bed at the end of the day.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Shot in a colorfully naturalistic style by Irina Lubtchansky (My Golden Days), the film occasionally switches to what looks like Super 8mm, capturing the action more intimately and playfully.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Aug. 2025
-
One expert, reflecting on personal experience, put it more colorfully.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Miami happily obliged and thrived.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The actor is happily married to his longtime wife, Tomasina Tate.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightly. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share