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
Amelia Lucas,annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
Mr Ring-a-Ding is a brilliant main villain in the same vein as the Maestro, where the performance alone is enough to make the episode entertaining.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
He’s attempted that feat in the States before, staging a brilliant and occasionally heartrending concert at the same venue in 2018 while promoting his excellent open wound of an album, Skeleton Tree, but something about Thursday’s concert felt different: a sense of joy.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
That warrants definite watching to see if yet another brilliant scheme by Kyle and Kamilla can take hold.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Adjective
Brian Snyder | Reuters The fluorescent red of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the brilliant teal of Mountain Dew Baja Blast and the colorful rainbow of Skittles may soon be dimmed.
—Amelia Lucas,annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
Mr Ring-a-Ding is a brilliant main villain in the same vein as the Maestro, where the performance alone is enough to make the episode entertaining.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
He’s attempted that feat in the States before, staging a brilliant and occasionally heartrending concert at the same venue in 2018 while promoting his excellent open wound of an album, Skeleton Tree, but something about Thursday’s concert felt different: a sense of joy.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
That warrants definite watching to see if yet another brilliant scheme by Kyle and Kamilla can take hold.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
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Come for breakfast or a light lunch and stay for their dazzling cheese selection—over 150 varieties served with the kind of attention to detail that makes even a simple sandwich feel sublime.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
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The movie, a dazzling retelling of a mythic boy-god, has grossed an astonishing US$2 billion worldwide, outperforming many Hollywood releases.—
Shaoyu Yuan,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The clever exploration of contrasts — marrying delicate fabrics, soft palettes, and masculine silhouettes — was the label’s unique formula for winning over fashion’s insiders, including powerhouse Moda Operandi.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The film follows 11-year-old Caroline (Johnson), a clever, sharp-eyed girl navigating a life of excitement and peril as a shoplifter with her mom Jocelyn (Williams).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Greer served as chief of staff to then-trade representative Robert Lighthizer during the first Trump administration, giving him a front row seat and a prominent role in negotiations with China on tariffs and an eventual trade agreement.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
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Among them was the explanation that Wuhan – the Chinese city where the virus first began spreading – is home to a prominent virology lab.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Its national parks often steal the spotlight, but the Golden State's state parks are hidden gems that offer sights, experiences, and landscapes that rival their national counterparts.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2025
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After his Game 5 gem, Yamamoto was solid again in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series (4⅓ innings, two runs, eight strikeouts) and terrific in Game 2 of the World Series (6⅓ innings, one run, four strikeouts), serving as the backbone of a shorthanded, championship-winning pitching staff.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The River Walk at night is always luminous, but this parade makes an evening on the river extra magical.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
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The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Talos, Pandora and other artificially intelligent entities had already set the stage for humans to explore this idea.—
Sofia Giannuzzi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
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Yes, Love Hotel might be Bravo’s most emotionally intelligent experiment yet.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Arsenal’s change in tack from corners was immediately noticeable in their 1-1 draw with Brentford.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Big Sur The crown jewel of any PCH trip, Big Sur stuns with its dramatic cliffs, redwoods, and turquoise waters.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Ah well, still the best Star Wars movie of the Disney-era, even if Andor remains the crown jewel.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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