brilliant 1 of 2

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

3

brilliant

2 of 2

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
Sandler is brilliant as a version of himself, and the movie is equal parts spiky and cuddly. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 26 July 2025 So when this came along, having already been aware of that and their work there — and obviously, Shalom was brilliant in that too. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025 While the stories-at-the-speed-of-life series didn't get a comedy nomination in its final season, nor did star-writer Bridgett Everett, voters did have the good sense to honor Jeff Hiller, one of the ensemble's brilliant performers. EW.com, 15 July 2025 Instead of a traditional dog crate, Mark, who only shared his first name, came up with a brilliant idea—a custom space for the dogs with a metal door. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
  • With its eerily formless threat, catchy theme song, wholesome teen heroes, and ingeniously practical ooze effects (a dazzling mix of in-camera and optical printing), The Blob straddles atomic-era paranoia and gooey creature-feature fun.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
  • On the field, for all the dazzling approach play, there was a lack of end product at times.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • That includes clever storage and organizers, which are currently up to 70 percent off this month.
    Rylee Johnston, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • This is not just a clever design feature but a strategic sustainability solution.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • In March 2019, authorities arrested and charged more than 50 people, including coaches, test administrators, prominent CEOs, and the Hollywood stars.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
  • Estonia is widely considered a prominent tech hub in Europe.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • One of the best things about streamers like Tubi is finding hidden gems.
    Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • That being said, there are oddities and hidden gems worth checking out, whether to get a good laugh or find a new favorite novelty.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Threaded through all this heaviness, however, is a palpable joy, a kind of luminous gratitude for having found one another, despite their presence in a country that routinely shuns them.
    Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025
  • Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Bundle Best for: Red carpet-ready shimmer and luxe layering Created by celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta, this body bundle includes a shimmering body oil, body brush, and sculpting balm to deliver a luminous, head-to-toe glow.
    Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Operation Bounce House follows Oliver Lewis, a colonist on the planet New Sonora, who leads a simple life on his family ranch, playing with his band and tending to his family's selection of intelligent agriculture bots.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Some incredibly intelligent breeds, such as Border collies, German shepherds and poodles, are known for regularly hitting 1,000-word milestones.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • For later stages, incorporating regenerative in-office treatments can make a noticeable difference.
    Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
  • Ay Papi’s Whitethorn Rose Single Origin Live Rosin Infused Gummies are colorless and melt in the mouth with a noticeable musky cannabis flavor accompanied by sweet, tropical fruit notes.
    IRENE ADELINE MILANEZ, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • However, the jewel of the hotel is its shimmering heated saltwater pool.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • Kardashian's jewels also featured two Lorraine Schwartz necklaces with approximately 250 carats of diamonds.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on brilliant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!