bright 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrīt How to pronounce bright (audio)
Definition of brightnext
1
as in shining
giving off or reflecting much light in the desert the sun was so bright that it hurt my eyes the moon is bright tonight

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2
as in illuminated
filled with much light the display windows of department stores are especially bright at Christmastime

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3
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition always walks into work with a bright smile on his face

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4
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a company that is always looking for bright, ambitious college graduates

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5
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope predicted a bright future for the young math whiz

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6
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome all the signs are bright right now for an economic boom

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7
as in cheering
serving to lift one's spirits a bright and beautiful morning to begin planting our garden

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8
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a bright new star on the operatic scene

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9
as in radiant
having or being an outward sign of good feelings (as of love, confidence, or happiness) a room full of summer interns with bright, eager faces

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10
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy we'll have a picnic on the next bright day

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bright

2 of 2

adverb

as in brightly
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light the storm passed, and once again the sun shone bright

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bright differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bright are brilliant, luminous, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is brilliant a more appropriate choice than bright?

While the synonyms brilliant and bright are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

In what contexts can luminous take the place of bright?

While in some cases nearly identical to bright, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for bright?

The meanings of lustrous and bright largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might radiant be a better fit than bright?

Although the words radiant and bright 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 bright
Adjective
Lamps can also create a more relaxed atmosphere in the evenings, when bright overhead lights often feel too harsh. —Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 14 June 2026 Mumy avoided the headlines other child stars could not when the bright lights fade. —Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 14 June 2026 The cocktail combines smoky mezcal, bright citrus, tropical mango liqueur, and a sparkling finish from prosecco, creating a balance of bold flavors and bright energy. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 The future remains bright for Wembanyama, and this series could very well be looked upon as an important step for the burgeoning superstar. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
  1. shining
  2. illuminated
  3. cheerful
  4. intelligent
  5. promising
  6. favorable
  7. outstanding
  8. radiant
Adjective
  • Whatever political direction Democrats plan to take their party in two years at their National Convention to elect a presidential nominee, Denver offers a shining example of what a city looks like when governance goes right for many decades, led by heart and hard work.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 5 May 2026
  • So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport’s biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon.
    — Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of shining
Adjective
  • Little to no moonlight can also help visibility, and Saturday night’s waning crescent will bring just that with the moon only being 3% illuminated.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Taking place at Del Mar Fairgrounds, this show will blend advanced drone choreography with the unforgettable music and iconic moments from the Harry Potter film series, featuring 1,200 illuminated drones soaring across the night sky.
    — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
Definition of illuminated
Adjective
  • This tiger red balayage on a brunette base is as cheerful as a sunny day.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shortly before the opening of Nasdaq trading on Friday, Elon Musk stepped in front of a cheerful crowd at SpaceX’s company town in Texas.
    — Jordan Novet,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • In an age of intelligent machines, who gets to decide what is orthodox remains one of the most important questions a free society can ask.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • Evangeline is an incredibly intelligent, talented, and heart-centered badass with the perfect voice for the project.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • One by one, an announcer began calling up the women whose play had marked the tournament - its top goal scorer, its most promising player.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, NPR, 14 June 2026
  • That is why some of the city’s most promising ideas involve encouraging investment while preserving character.
    — Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • The upcoming World Cup clash between the US and Australia has unexpectedly escalated into a fierce rivalry, despite both teams initially celebrating their favorable draw.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • National Weather Service A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms to develop.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • The near-perfect conditions affected each vineyard parcel and variety differently, but the result is outstanding across the board.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 14 June 2026
  • Your Carolyn Bessette is outstanding.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 June 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Stewart’s makeup artist credits the Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten Marbleized Blush for the star’s radiant complexion.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 18 June 2026
  • Dreamstick Cream Blush is a lightweight, buildable cream blush designed to give a fresh, radiant flush.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Definition of radiant

Browse Nearby Words

brigantines
bright
brighten
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Cite this Entry

“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bright

Nglish: Translation of bright for Spanish Speakers

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