ALIGHT Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

alight 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alight

as in illuminated

filled with much light we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in burning

chiefly British being on fire the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alight

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt

as in to perch

to come to rest after descending from the air a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to descend

to come down from something (as a vehicle) as she alighted from the train, she momentarily lost her footing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 alight

Adjective

At a memorial for one of the men, cars were smashed into each other in a field and set alight. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 5 Sep. 2026 Moe then reportedly set the firework alight while the child was holding on to it and the device erupted in her hand, per the outlet, citing a complaint. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Once a recipe is chosen, clientele relax; zoning out in nearby chairs as glass tubes alight and the machine purrs from within. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Foliage-seekers can alight in the town of Winona, Minnesota, located on an island in the Mississippi—where visitors hike, kayak, or fish amid craggy river bluffs carpeted with ever-changing treetops. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight

Adjective

Slanted vertical light animations frame an illuminated lightning bolt emblem.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Near the brightly illuminated planet Adrian, background stars were therefore largely absent.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminated

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Definition of burning

Verb

Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Every transformer on the grid—from the cylinders perched on utility lines to the big spiky devices at substations—trades voltage for current at a fixed ratio.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of perch

Verb

National reporters, big GOP donors and the president himself have descended on Kansas as Republicans seek to stave off Hamilton’s challenge.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
While descending, deputies said the climber ran into trouble after following an erroneous GPS route that led him onto the Whitney Glacier.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of descend

Adjective

Anrabess Sleeveless Maxi Sundress, $44 During summer’s blazing-hot weather, wearing cotton pieces like this Chartou Shift Dress and Chouyatou Striped style is a must for keeping cool.

— Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Allergens, hot temps and blazing rays can make eyes extra scratchy and dry.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026

Definition of blazing

Verb

Buck has long since dismounted from his high horse, but people who live in glass houses that are also occupied by Mike Darnell should probably be a bit more judicious when hucking rocks.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Governing bodies in neighboring San Ramon, San Anselmo in Marin County, and Burlingame in San Mateo County have adopted similar policies requiring people to dismount e-bikes when traveling through public parks.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismount

Browse Nearby Words

aliens

alight

alighted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of alight

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes