brightly

adverb

Definition of brightlynext
1
as in bright
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light the light glowed brightly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner "And how are we today?" the nurse asked brightly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in colorfully
in a manner that is colorful and tends to arouse gaiety parade marchers carrying brightly painted banners

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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 brightly Heading to their classrooms, children in top hats, crisp white shirts and ties dash up and down a staircase decorated with a riot of brightly colored posters. — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 The two venues feel elegant and brightly lit, including a 17th-century hôtel particulier, or mansion, with vaulted stone ceilings on the bottom floor, and an Art Deco building across the Rue du Temple. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 New, brightly colored playground equipment includes swings, slides and climbing areas. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026 In the middle sits Mariella’s Tacos, twinkling brightly like a carnival ride. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Near the brightly illuminated planet Adrian, background stars were therefore largely absent. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 During our stay, the work of Croatian artist Matej Vuković was on display, bringing pops of brightly colored clouds and unique shapes to the lush green landscape. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 He gets pummeled by waves and rip currents while negotiating the famously difficult shore dive but is soon swimming among brightly colored marine life and undulating kelp forests that filter sunlight from the surface. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 The compact coastal town is known for its whitewashed medina, brightly painted murals and imposing Portuguese-era ramparts overlooking the ocean. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brightly
  1. luminously
  2. cheerfully
  3. colorfully
  4. happily
Adverb
  • The luminously charismatic 22-year-old Canadian actor from Manitoba plays Carrie White unlike any iteration before.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As night fell and West Sacramento’s Ziggurat building glowed luminously, guests returned to the sampling tables for an array of desserts.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of luminously
Adverb
  • Moments after sitting down at an outdoor table, Oppenheim breathes in the ocean air and starts cheerfully free-associating.
    — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • There were hundreds of bikers milling around cheerfully in the showery sunshine and proudly displaying their hogs.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheerfully
Adverb
  • The Canada phenomenon reflects, albeit more colorfully, sourcing trends seen on a global scale.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Union members and their supporters were dressed colorfully, clad in red or green, and their march through the Brussels city center passed off peacefully.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of colorfully
Adverb
  • He is surrounded by a parade of savvier comic archetypes — from his urbane, happily rational brother, Beralde (Dylan Baker), to his smart-aleck maid, Toinette (Rachel Bloom, giving eternal side-eye) — who have to either evade or manipulate him.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Joanne and Noah’s happily-ever-after feels more secure than ever this season — what a concept!
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of happily

Browse Nearby Words

bright-line
brightly
brightness
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Cite this Entry

“Brightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brightly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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