more than brilliant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than brilliant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something exceeds the quality of being brilliant, often in a positive context. Example: "Her performance was more than brilliant; it left the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"A movie should be something more than brilliant mimicry by excellent actors to retell an old story".

Independent

Eco is basically a playful writer: even his best novels are little more than brilliant mechanical toys.

The Guardian - Books

Thompson's performance is more than brilliant and nuanced enough to inspire sympathy for Travers without the film shouting "Remember, she had a bad childhood!" every 10 minutes.

The Guardian - Film

But they are more than brilliant with just the coconut and curry leaf paste suggested here, a spoonful of Greek yoghurt and a squeeze of fresh lime.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That Tolstoy was able to pack so much meaning on so many different subjects into a single story is more than brilliant -- it's almost unbelievable.

Huffington Post

The movie took a U-turn to England, where upon I met another psychic in Glastonbury--Sarah--who gave more than brilliant powerful insights into Trump.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

More than a brilliant lawyer, superb at trial, he was also a compassionate and loyal friend, fiercely proud of sons Sacha and Ben, fighting the inevitable to the very end.

The New York Times

But yesterday's disclosure, if true, paints the Kimeses as more bumbling than brilliant.

The New York Times

They are a pain in the wazoo and usually more troubled than brilliant, and what's the point?

The New York Times

If the names Apted and Bergman are separated by more than A and B in the film directors pantheon — words like "efficient" and "competent" tend to attach to him more often than "brilliant" or "visionary" — it is this project, begun seven years after "Wild Strawberries," that puts Mr. Apted in his own sphere.

The New York Times

Three days later, Emmanuel Petit and Bergkamp scored in Arsenal's win against Derby County; the team's performance was described by Wenger as "more resilient than brilliant".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than brilliant", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone and register of the writing, as it can sometimes come across as hyperbolic.

Common error

Avoid using "more than brilliant" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise or nuanced expression might be preferable. Opt for alternatives that convey specific qualities.

Linguistic Context

More than brilliant functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to intensify the description of a noun. It emphasizes that something possesses qualities exceeding typical brilliance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

More than brilliant is a phrase used to elevate the description of something beyond simple brilliance, emphasizing exceptional quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound, though it appears more frequently in news and media contexts. While versatile, its use in formal settings should be considered carefully. Alternatives include "beyond brilliant" and "exceedingly brilliant". Remember to use it judiciously to enhance the impact of your writing without sounding hyperbolic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond brilliant

Emphasizes exceeding brilliance, indicating a higher degree of excellence.

exceedingly brilliant

Highlights a very high degree of brilliance, focusing on the intensity.

more than exceptional

Shifts the focus from brilliance to general exceptional quality.

extraordinarily brilliant

Similar to exceedingly brilliant, stressing the unusual nature of the brilliance.

brilliant and then some

Adds a colloquial touch, implying extra brilliance on top of what's expected.

shining brighter

Uses metaphorical language to describe surpassing brilliance.

outshining brilliance

Suggests surpassing brilliance, indicating a higher level of achievement.

transcending brilliance

Emphasizes rising above typical brilliance, implying a transformative quality.

markedly brilliant

Indicates a noticeable and significant degree of brilliance.

truly remarkable

Shifts focus from brilliance to remarkable quality, emphasizing overall impressiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "more than brilliant" in a sentence?

You can use "more than brilliant" to describe something that surpasses the ordinary level of brilliance. For example: "Her performance was "more than brilliant"; it was truly captivating."

What can I say instead of "more than brilliant"?

You can use alternatives like "beyond brilliant", "exceedingly brilliant", or "extraordinarily brilliant depending on the context".

Is "more than brilliant" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "more than brilliant" might be perceived as hyperbolic in formal contexts. Consider using more precise or nuanced language to convey the specific qualities you wish to highlight.

What's the difference between "more than brilliant" and "brilliant"?

"Brilliant" describes something exceptionally clever or skillful. "More than brilliant" emphasizes that something surpasses the qualities of being simply brilliant, implying an even higher level of excellence.