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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illuminated
filled with much light
the display windows of department stores are especially bright at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition
always walks into work with a bright smile on his face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
a company that is always looking for bright, ambitious college graduates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
predicted a bright future for the young math whiz
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome
all the signs are bright right now for an economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in cheering
serving to lift one's spirits
a bright and beautiful morning to begin planting our garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
a bright new star on the operatic scene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy
we'll have a picnic on the next bright day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Amanda Montell, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Rates are modest, typically just a handful of meteors per hour, but the payoff can come in the form of occasional streaking, bright fireballs.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The bright blue color adds a pop to any space, while the distressed wood offers a look that feels like it’s been passed down through generations.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
To the lower left of the backward question mark is a triangle of moderately bright stars that make the feline’s derriere and tail.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bright
Adjective
How dare anyone attempt to steal their idol’s bright light, seemed to be the ariheads’ perspective.
—Amanda Montell, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Rates are modest, typically just a handful of meteors per hour, but the payoff can come in the form of occasional streaking, bright fireballs.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The bright blue color adds a pop to any space, while the distressed wood offers a look that feels like it’s been passed down through generations.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
To the lower left of the backward question mark is a triangle of moderately bright stars that make the feline’s derriere and tail.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
Adjective
-
Her world, fueled by her life, was the shining and irrefutable definition of integrity.—
Josh Peter,
USA Today,
20 Dec. 2025
-
And, of course, blue skies and a brightly shining sun.—
Fiona Mozley,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
A good deal Pitching your restaurant to the masses these days usually involves social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, where carefully constructed and perfectly illuminated images sell the product.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Between scenes, for instance, the illuminated proscenium blinks ominously, as if in code.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nor has the evidence of his cheerful brokering of money and information with current and former Russian, Israeli, and US government officials amounted to the kind of deep-cover operation some believe.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Amazon’s selection, however, renewed my faith in cheap-and-cheerful bottoms.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Its intelligent navigation helps ensure effective coverage, while the real-time self-cleaning system helps maintain a cleaner roller with each pass.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
According to Charles Darwin, survival belongs not to the strongest species, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Atlanta was, at once, one of the most promising Black cities in the country and one of the most rigidly controlled.—
Ernie Suggs,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Bell wants that driver to be him, with the next chapter of a promising career written at the Daytona 500.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The fame Jefferson sought was the second one, closer to honor and the acceptance of one’s ideas, credit for possession of a desirable character and a favorable reputation that would outlive him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The quarterly rebalanced assortment of large-, mid-, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks offers an adaptable way to capitalize on favorable market conditions while minimizing losses when the market declines, as detailed in RV Portfolio performance metrics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Housey delivered an outstanding performance, earning the Marcia Pinder MVP award at the BCAA Big 8 tournament.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Then the lineup rolled back to the top — and the Bears’ two outstanding 106-pounders.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a January 26 Instagram Story, Chopra ditched her glam to fully show off her radiant glass skin.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, Pierette Scavuzzo, Cone Denim’s design director, said the wash-down is radiant at every level.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
