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.

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

Ideal for sandwiches, toast, and egg-in-a-hole when fresh, if a few slices get stale, put the rest of the loaf to great use in this budget-friendly Italian vegetarian meatball remix or consider these 15 brilliant options for what to do with stale bread. —

Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025 Why this dissertation on the obviously brilliant minds of Tesla and Palantir that produce products as a byproduct of their own genius? —

Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2025 Close emphasizes this lesson every season, marveling in its brilliant simplicity. —

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025 In fact, from Mozart to Einstein to Stevie Wonder, the list of brilliant people who started young is long. —

Susan Spencer, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for brilliant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brilliant

Adjective

Here’s where and when to travel this year to see the most dazzling northern lights displays of 2025.

— Passport by ForbesLife, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Most North American observers will be able to watch as the moon passes in front of more than a few stars in this cluster (called an occultation) within a few hours, amid the dazzling lunar glare.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025