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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brightly
The glittering gastro gem shines brightly with resourceful chefs embracing a diverse array of culinary traditions, often eschewing allegiance to strictly Southern cooking.
—
Nevin Martell, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
If the guide as a whole doesn’t reflect the full story of the American South, at least two brightly shining stars do.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
In the space of a generation, the crown that had glittered so brightly on Elizabeth’s head had been consigned to the dust.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
This is especially true of dark and brightly colored clothing which, when washed inside out, is less susceptible to color loss and fading.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
As an aspiring engineer, Nathan's passion for math and science shines brightly.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
Ripa kept it fun and simple with a brightly colored pink shark costume to bring the viral children's tune to life with a fun twist.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two met at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and the two stars on display – Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and Jalen Brunson of the Knicks – shone brightly.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
During the nighttime low-tide surveys, researchers scoured the various pools and found a brightly colored sea slug, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Nevin Martell, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
If the guide as a whole doesn’t reflect the full story of the American South, at least two brightly shining stars do.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
In the space of a generation, the crown that had glittered so brightly on Elizabeth’s head had been consigned to the dust.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
This is especially true of dark and brightly colored clothing which, when washed inside out, is less susceptible to color loss and fading.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
As an aspiring engineer, Nathan's passion for math and science shines brightly.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
Ripa kept it fun and simple with a brightly colored pink shark costume to bring the viral children's tune to life with a fun twist.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The two met at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and the two stars on display – Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and Jalen Brunson of the Knicks – shone brightly.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
During the nighttime low-tide surveys, researchers scoured the various pools and found a brightly colored sea slug, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightly
Adverb
-
With this introduction of a hapless protagonist not entirely managing to live her best life, Brett Haley‘s film cheerfully speaks both the literary and cinematic language of romantic comedy — and won’t seek to subvert or elevate it in the two hours that follow.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Unable to roll the map out, its creators cheerfully realize that the country itself can serve as its own map.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Abundance comes from simply being yourself — boldly, colorfully, unapologetically.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
23 Dec. 2025
-
That was colorfully communicated this week by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon , who said there may be more cockroaches in the industry after the country’s largest bank took sizeable charge-offs in the third quarter for exposure to Tricolor.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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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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Thankfully, Loki's happily ever after came shortly after the animal shelter posted this video.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
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As a childless person who doesn’t teach I’ve been happily unaware that, due to standardized testing requirements that favor close reads of excerpts over whole books, there’s an entire generation of students who have very little contextual framework for the literature they’re being taught in school.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightly. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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