BRILLIANT Synonyms: 365 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

brilliant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbril-yənt

Definition of brilliant next

as in dazzling

giving off or reflecting much light a brilliant chandelier graces the hotel lobby

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in prominent

likely to attract attention a brilliant example of government waste

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

rough

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.

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of brilliant

Adjective

Blurb of second movie: After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024 Cynthia Erivo Wears Louis Vuitton To attend a special premiere of Wicked in Australia Cynthia Erivo donned a brilliant custom Louis Vuitton gown by Nicolas Ghesquière. —

Essence, 4 Nov. 2024 Pottery orange swirl pot Bauer Pottery is like a candy shop of ceramics, with pots and dishes in so many brilliant colors that shopping at the store feels like a party. —

Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 One of the fun parts of playing Kate Wyler, for Russell, is humanizing these brilliant, larger than life statesmen and women. —

Trish Deitch, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brilliant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant

Adjective

When asked if superheroes have a negative impact on the comic book world, King made an incisive point that reflects her dazzling career.

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024
These end-of-year parties are a chance to play around with seasonal colors and dazzling fabrics, which can then be worn during the holidays.

Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2024