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
The song was written by Petty and right-hand man Mike Campbell for use on a Heartbreakers record, but producer Jimmy Iovine arranged for Nicks to sing it, which turned out to be a brilliant move. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Debbie is a brilliant wife, mother, and advice columnist who takes matters into her own hands when a series of injustices forces her down the path of revenge, from #1 New York Times and international bestselling author McFadden. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025 Their foliage is unique among trees, with a distinct fan shape and a brilliant gold fall color that ignites the landscape. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025 Jones was brilliant for Minnesota in 2024, racking up 1,138 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
  • And the stadium atmosphere was dazzling, even in the drizzle.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • For entomology buffs, the nation of Colombia plays host to the largest number of butterfly species on the planet, with Jaguarundi Travel operating a dedicated tour that showcases a dazzling array of colorful insects.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • If so, its still a quick and clever method for styling a bun in a pinch.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirk, a prominent voice in culture wars on college campuses, hosts a daily radio show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which ranks among the top 10 on Apple News’ list of top podcasts and has a strong Gen Z fan base.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • On Tuesday night, the Nepali army deployed troops to restore order after prominent government buildings were set on fire, politicians were attacked and violent clashes erupted between protesters and government forces.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Levi's Original Trucker Jacket Don’t miss out on this gem of a steal on this beloved Levi’s denim jacket that has racked up over 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
    Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • If the current crop of blockbusters and indie gems isn't quite hitting the mark for you, there's a solid chance one of Netflix's homegrown titles will.
    Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The lightweight formula glides on with a refreshing tingle, then rinses away to reveal skin that feels softer, smoother, and more luminous.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The nongreasy formula also delivers a luminous, glowy finish that even shoppers in their 80s can attest to.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, when used thoughtfully, AI can be not only a governance tool but also a catalyst for a more intelligent, inclusive and resilient corporate future.
    Michael Hilb, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Now there’s a new high-tech member of that team ready to weigh in on just what Ralph Lauren fashion is as Ask Ralph relaunches Tuesday as an artificially intelligent shopping experience on the brand’s app.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Why Local Marketing Is Gaining Ground Again In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in how small and midsized businesses (SMBs) approach marketing.
    Ashot Barseghyan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Particularly noticeable is Cavagnari’s eye for mixing midcentury modern furnishings, vintage lighting from Morocco, and older pieces that carry a story with them, such as a portable writing desk and a chair that folds into its own leather steamer trunk.
    Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But the crown jewel will be the world’s highest observation deck at 644 meters (2,112 feet), providing panoramic 360-degree views that will undoubtedly become one of Earth’s most photographed vantage points.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 14 Sep. 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!