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
James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The team observed this 11 million light-years away spiral galaxy in thousands of colors, which features the brilliant stars living within it.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 June 2025
The brilliant fruits of tessellated talents at opposite sides of the world.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The Emerald Coast beaches have fine quartz crystal sand and brilliant green waters, which give the coastline its eponymous name.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Adjective
The artist, obviously, is brilliant, but an enormous shoutout to the genius who managed to secure a permit in order to erect the statue legally.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The team observed this 11 million light-years away spiral galaxy in thousands of colors, which features the brilliant stars living within it.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 June 2025
The brilliant fruits of tessellated talents at opposite sides of the world.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The Emerald Coast beaches have fine quartz crystal sand and brilliant green waters, which give the coastline its eponymous name.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
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When Richard Ellmann’s James Joyce hit the shelves in 1959, the sheer size of the book (842 pages, 100 longer than Ulysses ) was as dazzling as the degree of detail.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
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Romance and your creative potential will be dazzling!—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Even the cleverest plans leave room for a little improvisation.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Part of the demand is perhaps driven by a clever sales tactic.—
Annette Choi,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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All of those players are gone now — and the most prominent of the bunch have followed Lovullo closer to the other coast.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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The president also sought to push back on prominent MAGA voices who've been outspoken about the U.S. not getting involved in the war between Israel and Iran.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, local favorite Pho Momma joined the notable Bib Gourmand list, cementing its status as one of Sacramento’s best under-the-radar dining gems.—
Keyla Vasconcellos,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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However, the journalist revealed in an interview with Vogue that the center stone is actually a rare pink diamond with a slight rose tone to the gem.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Glowing collarbones, shimmering shoulders, and luminous legs are all part of the summer story.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
27 June 2025
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The color in the glass is a delicate but luminous pale pink, with reflections reminiscent of rose petals or light salmon.—
Elisabetta Tosi,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Lucy’s colleagues refer to men like him—tall, handsome, in finance, intelligent, urbane—as unicorns.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
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Celebrate intelligent risk-taking, not just polished outcomes.—
Bill Fischer,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Similar parents commenting on Diwa's post said the switch made a noticeable difference in their own homes, with several sharing anecdotes of improved moods and calmer transitions to offscreen activities.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Whereas androgenetic alopecia is characterized by the shrinking of hair follicles, which leads to thin, barely noticeable hair, the key indicators of CCCA are inflammation and damage to the follicles.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Perhaps this is because the power couple are the current owners of Casa Rosa, a jewel of contemporary architecture designed by Andrés Casillas de Alba in 1978.—
Katia Contreras,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2025
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The philanthropist and felon endowed L.A. with what was then the largest urban park in the world and still remains a jewel of the city.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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