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
Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
Had the best time visiting Harvard Business School and chatting with some seriously brilliant minds!
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Looking to his reputation as a hard-working and brilliant designer, Anderson surely has the ability to blend in with the Dior DNA, juggling its strong heritage and codes, and placing the house in good stead for a revival.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Adjective
This week, Angus has a brilliant new essay in Big Think that connects Shakespeare’s King Lear to the life of Steve Jobs.
—Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
Had the best time visiting Harvard Business School and chatting with some seriously brilliant minds!
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Looking to his reputation as a hard-working and brilliant designer, Anderson surely has the ability to blend in with the Dior DNA, juggling its strong heritage and codes, and placing the house in good stead for a revival.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
-
The ceremony featured a dazzling light and music show outside the museum, with massive screens displaying Egypt's ancient monuments.—
Ayat Al-Tawy,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
To see nature’s most dazzling show, there’s perhaps no better place to grab a front-row seat than the Yukon.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
A lot of clever stuff goes into this.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This clever coffee table’s top lifts smoothly and locks into place to create a dining area or workspace.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The team settled for adding TE Josh Whyle and defensive lineman Arron Mosby from the practice squad to the active roster, but Green Bay is apparently in on one prominent free-agent defensive back as well.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Several prominent business leaders have already voiced cautious optimism, seeing in Mamdani a chance to reset the relationship between City Hall and commerce.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The psych-pop gem, originally released as Tame Impala’s debut single in 2009, hadn’t appeared on a tour setlist since 2018.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Carved into 50,000 carats of jewels, the aquamarine became a global ambassador for Brazilian craftsmanship, cementing both the country’s reputation for fine gems and Sauer’s name in the industry.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With its luminous foliage, 'Lemon-Lime' Nandina makes a striking accent in shady plantings.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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The luminous roll call has Henry Cavill leading a cast that already includes Russell Crowe, Marisa Abela, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Jeremy Irons and Djimon Hounsou, as well as Max Zhang and Drew McIntyre.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For the first time, a machine was able to do what only intelligent humans had previously done.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Humans have a much larger neocortex than other animals, relative to body size, and the species with the largest neocortices—elephants, dolphins, gorillas, chimpanzees, dogs—are among the most intelligent.—
James Somers,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Similarly, the depth of the pile doesn’t rebound if furniture is moved, which can be noticeable for a period of time.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Just as Mamdani aims to improve the lives of young people more broadly, those working under him could see a noticeable shift in how the workplace is run.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The actor, who portrayed dapper casino thief Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven and its sequels, reflected on the audacious burglary in which a group of thieves stole more than $100 million worth of historic jewels from Paris' foremost museum on Sunday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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