smart as a whip vs brilliant

smart as a whip and brilliant both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
smart as a whip	No	Yes	No	No
brilliant	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, smart as a whip and brilliant are synonyms defined as:

smart as a whip and brilliant: having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence

Other synonyms of smart as a whip include brainy.

smart as a whip (adjective)	brilliant (adjective)
having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence	full of light; shining intensely
	having strong or striking color
	characterized by grandeur
	having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence
	clear and sharp and ringing
	of surpassing excellence