brilliant 1 of 2

Definition of brilliantnext
1
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

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brilliant

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noun

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective brilliant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of brilliant are bright, luminous, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

When could bright be used to replace brilliant?

While in some cases nearly identical to brilliant, bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is it sensible to use luminous instead of brilliant?

While the synonyms luminous and brilliant are close in meaning, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for brilliant?

The words lustrous and brilliant can be used in similar contexts, but lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

Where would radiant be a reasonable alternative to brilliant?

Although the words radiant and brilliant have much in common, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

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 brilliant
Adjective
The brilliant reds and gold of the willows and poplars and the bright yellows and pale greens of frostbitten underbrush stood out against the backdrop of the mountain slopes, which were clad in the darker green of spruce and pine and topped with a fall of snow from the last few nights. Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister. The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 As with the rest of the hotel, rooms and suites blend extreme comfort and modern convenience with antique beauty, atmosphere and brilliant art. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 Simple yet kind of brilliant, no? Emma Specter, Vogue, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
  • The highlight is a dazzling conjunction of Venus and Jupiter low in the west after sunset, joined briefly by Mercury.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • The Mountaineers went 11-1 that season and shocked SEC champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, doing so with a dazzling offensive display led by lightning bug dual-threat quarterback Pat White.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • The sale features impressive savings on patio furniture, area rugs, Adirondack chairs, and clever storage solutions that make handling household clutter easy.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
  • June 2026 As Motto by Hilton’s second property in Mexico, Motto by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico will bring the brand’s clever, connected offerings to Guadalajara’s historic district.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Now part of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, this is one of the city’s most prominent addresses for creative types and travelers who know where to find the best service.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The original sign for Joe Marty’s, named for a prominent local baseball player once thought to be a better prospect than Joe DiMaggio, wasn’t part of the listing.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Multicolor round beads sat across the lower lace area, while gem embellishments covered the toe box of the low-cut silhouette and continued around the collar.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2026
  • Residents try to keep this coastal gem hush-hush, but can't seem to keep the idyllic scenery, trendy shops, and great restaurants entirely under wraps.
    Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Stylish swimwear Step into the luminous Anja Paris boutique and you’ll be instantly transported to tropical climes.
    Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • When the skin barrier is healthy, the skin looks calmer, smoother, more luminous and more tolerant of active ingredients, Devgan tells me.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • When the heavy lifting of data synthesis and standard analysis is supported by intelligent systems, workers are free to elevate their thinking.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • Accelerating technological innovation Beyond software development, BYD is also investing heavily in the underlying hardware required for intelligent vehicles.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is particularly noticeable in the ballroom area, which hosts weekly wedding events, as well as other social and business functions.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • But let’s get back to that extraordinary customizable dashboard, one of the most noticeable features.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Unsurprisingly, owing to the brand’s long legacy of crafting exquisite jewels, aesthetics rule at Bulgari hotels.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The crown jewel here is the Chaîne des Puys, a chain of geologically young dormant volcanoes inactive for 10,000 years.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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