1
as in dazzling
giving off or reflecting much light
a brilliant chandelier graces the hotel lobby
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clever
having or showing quickness of mind
a brilliant boy who left for college at the age of 16
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prominent
likely to attract attention
a brilliant example of government waste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gem
a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament
the diamond cutter set out an array of brilliants to show the various ways the diamond could be cut
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brilliant
Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
For more than a century, astronomers have marveled at the brilliant jet of matter blasting from the heart of the giant elliptical galaxy M87.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
With the first piece of evidence in decades, Karen (Lyle) must assemble an unbeatable team alongside her sincere and lovable sidekick DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks) and the brilliant, but romantically complicated, DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt).
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The creative on that show was brilliant.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Adjective
The Dodgers completed a sweep of the NL Wild Card series with a 8-4 win, inspired in part by the brilliant Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
For more than a century, astronomers have marveled at the brilliant jet of matter blasting from the heart of the giant elliptical galaxy M87.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
With the first piece of evidence in decades, Karen (Lyle) must assemble an unbeatable team alongside her sincere and lovable sidekick DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks) and the brilliant, but romantically complicated, DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt).
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
The creative on that show was brilliant.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
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Afterwards, walk through the dazzling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, pausing to admire the glass dome and beautiful mosaic floors (but beware of pickpockets).—
Laura Itzkowitz,
AFAR Media,
3 Oct. 2025
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Every ounce of it was on display when Mitchell initially made that dazzling catch against the Rams.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of clear instructions, clever engineering and high-energy videos makes CrunchLabs stand out among subscription boxes, offering a yearlong experience that feels fresh with each delivery.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, a different vibe soon filled the arena once the countdown clock reached zero and a video charting Kirk's career from 18-year-old organizer to one of the GOP’s most prominent activists came on-screen.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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In the wake of the assassination of prominent conservative figure Charlie Kirk, the rhetoric wars have taken to new levels of vitriol, with many on the right blaming the left writ large for such political violence, and vice versa.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Film fans will be intrigued by the silent-era gem Frankenstein, from 1910.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
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There’s no question that this history, alongside other gems about Birkin revealed by Meltzer, has made the woman in question, who died on July 16, 2023, more than worthy of icon status.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Two meteor showers and a luminous supermoon will light up the California night sky in October.—
Mike Haskey,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The comet's nucleus will be shrouded in a luminous halo of gas and dust, with a long tail streaming out behind.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Millions grew up less intelligent, more violent, poorer, and more likely to die from heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.—
Tom Frieden,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
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But there were circumstances that could allow the highly intelligent Leland to have a better life.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There was a noticeable gap between Ocean dropping his studio debut Channel Orange in 2012 and his 2016 album releases Endless and Blonde — and fans noticed.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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The last two words, something Redick said the Lakers needed to be in after the team lost in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves during last year’s playoffs, has been the most noticeable priority shift in the earliest days of training camp.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Friends had described the city as the jewel of southern Spain.—
Fiona Mozley,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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These little Swedish jewels are a reminder that even the most stoic and pragmatic carmakers can inspire with a brilliant high note of design and imagination.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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