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
Mbappé put France ahead with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and then added a second-half goal to break a World Cup knockout round scoring record, and Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0 to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay. CBS News, 1 July 2026 Sommelier Erick Tuesta does a brilliant job matching Froggatt’s efforts to surprise and delight while showcasing range and depth of the ROKI cellar—which is the largest in Queenstown. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Kelce, in collaboration with jewelry designer Kindred Lubeck and Artifex Fine Jewelry, designed the ring, which features a massive Old Mine brilliant cut diamond. Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
  • First, look out for the dazzling trio of stars that form the famous Summer Triangle asterism.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Her dazzling performances brought home gold for the stars and stripes, all while capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • See, for me, naming a snowplow isn’t just about clever wordplay.
    Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • Later in the day, your mind finds a clever solution, a useful contact or a whole new point of view.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • One prominent Cherokee named Katteuha co-wrote a letter to Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, urging him to push for peace between the Native people and settlers.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The effect of protostar outflows on their environment can be seen in the JWST image via the prominent blue ridges.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • On the New Jersey artist’s debut album, a steady stream of screwball ideas coalesce into unexpectedly existential laptop twee gems.
    Nick Ayres DeMasi, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • The design features an array of glittery gems across the straps.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The formulas leave skin looking polished, refined and incredibly healthy, creating the kind of luminous finish that feels more like skincare than traditional body care.
    Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • To speak an intention was to limit the luminous sensation of possibility.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The robot staff behind the scenes Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Evolutionary cues, emotional encoding and genetics all converge in how partners experience each other’s smell, and a noticeable shift in that experience may be worth paying attention to.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • After 12 weeks, the results suggested that a tiny dose of regular exercise could yield noticeable physical benefits.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Hanson has long tried to dismantle the crown jewel of Howard’s legacy—yet after Australia’s worst mass shooting since Port Arthur, her rhetoric and Howard’s converged.
    Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • He is draped across a chair, jewels on his hand glistening, and fur rugs lining the floor.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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