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
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Adapted from the Donald E. Westlake novel The Ax, updated for our precarious moment in time, Park’s No Other Choice is enthralling all the way to its brilliant bitter pill of an ending.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
High-level smoke has less of an impact on air quality but keeps the sky hazy, sometimes turning the sun into a brilliant orange and enhancing sunrises and sunsets.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Sterling had waited 26 years for this honor, finally receiving the nod from the seniors committee after decades of advocacy from fans and analysts who viewed his brief but brilliant career as Hall of Fame-worthy.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Adjective
Their music was almost universally forgotten until the last decade, after minor resurgences, stories or documentaries helped enlighten younger generations to their small but brilliant discographies.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Adapted from the Donald E. Westlake novel The Ax, updated for our precarious moment in time, Park’s No Other Choice is enthralling all the way to its brilliant bitter pill of an ending.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
High-level smoke has less of an impact on air quality but keeps the sky hazy, sometimes turning the sun into a brilliant orange and enhancing sunrises and sunsets.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Sterling had waited 26 years for this honor, finally receiving the nod from the seniors committee after decades of advocacy from fans and analysts who viewed his brief but brilliant career as Hall of Fame-worthy.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant
Adjective
-
Love planet Venus will enter Leo on Aug. 25, adding a dazzling burst of glamour and passion, followed by harmonious aspects to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune on Aug. 25 and 26, making romantic themes equally grounding and liberating.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Leonor paired the shimmering suit with a patent clutch, pointed heels, and a dazzling pair of diamond earrings borrowed from her mother’s jewelry box.—
Ben Jureidini,
Glamour,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Later, of course, movies based on the series starring Tom Cruise became blockbusters, but were never as clever as the original television series, relying more on outlandish stunts and special effects.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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These clever yet bizarre gadgets are both fun and oddly useful.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So far, the World Games 2025 is the most prominent global appearance for this hip hop dance form since the Paris Olympics in August 2024, at least in a sporting context.—
Jason Pu,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Sawfish look prehistoric and are named for their most prominent feature: their long, flat rostrum, with spiky scales that look like teeth.—
Jack Prator,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The rocker/rapper/actor/celeb gossip site favorite will perform a free concert at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., the long running live music gem with a capacity of just 300 people.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Hunter Brown bolstered his Cy Young Award candidacy with another gem, shutting the Red Sox down over 6.2 dominant innings, and the top three batters in Boston’s lineup combined to go 0 for 11.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Its luminous qualities mirror this Air sign's love for beauty and balance, while its spiritual symbolism is linked to transformation and emotional healing.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The woody-spicy citrus scent for men uses luminous top notes of fresh ginger, bergamot and citrus (lemon petitgrain) to create a powerful sensation of freshness that quickly cedes to deeper, spicy, mineral heart notes, notably that of Timut pepper.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The war in Ukraine is creating high pressure innovation in intelligent drones and swarms.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
These are dynamic, intelligent, very witty women that can use their words in arguments.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But a noticeable upswing in Perseid activity begins during the second week of August, leading up to their peak night.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Since the pandemic, there’s been a noticeable drop in vaccination rates among kids.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Wishing you a weekend full of sweet jams, meaningful jewels, family sing-alongs, and wall to wall jokes.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Although the German outfit will unearth another jewel, this model often takes you so far in challenging the best.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brilliant. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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