alight 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alightnext
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burning
chiefly British being on fire the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alight

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt How to pronounce alight (audio)
1
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

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2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle) as she alighted from the train, she momentarily lost her footing

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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 alight
Adjective
Tensions also boiled over in the neighboring town of Newtown Abbey, where protesters set two cars alight, according to video geolocated by CNN, and in Kilkeel where another car was set on fire. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 9 June 2026 Police are investigating recent attacks as anti-immigrant sentiment surges, including the killing of two Mozambicans in a small coastal town this month during unrest that also saw more than 50 homes set alight in an immigrant neighborhood, according to local authorities. — ABC News, 24 June 2026
Verb
Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026 The story will alight on themes central to Park’s oeuvre of vengeance, retribution, the consequences of violence and the power of memory and family, but this time in the American West. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
  1. illuminated
  2. burning
  3. perch
  4. descend
  5. light
  6. blazing
  7. land
  8. dismount
Adjective
  • The massive illuminated sign, which hung outside New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater throughout Colbert's nearly 11-year run as host, was purchased at auction earlier this year and now sits on the rooftop of WeHo Bistro.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The front end features a more upright stance dominated by the illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille, while new 'double-X' daytime running lights give the SUV a distinctive lighting signature.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of illuminated
Adjective
  • In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
  • Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.
    — Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of burning
Verb
  • Marie, perched between Lake Superior and Lake Huron and adjacent to its Canadian twin city of the same name.
    — Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
  • Luna began the day hopping around, perching on the various trees near the nest.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Around 1,000 attendees are expected to descend on Madison Square Garden over the next two days to celebrate the union of the music superstar and Super Bowl champion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • Some hormonal birth control methods can make periods much lighter or stop completely, which can alleviate symptoms associated with painful periods.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • The sheen is light as a feather, blends like a dream, and at SPF 50, is a serious sunscreen in its own right.
    — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of light
Adjective
  • Its most striking feature, however, is tied to Houston’s blazing 12-season NBA career.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • The unexpected design adds instant intrigue to the space while still serving the functional role of offering a cool respite from the sun's blazing rays.
    — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
Definition of blazing
Verb
  • Your unconventional ideas land better when people can experience them instead of only hearing about them.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • That lowers the chance of landing on a fake claim page built to steal your information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of land
Verb
  • Suffering from a broken rib and sinus infection, Remco Evenepoel hands his bidon to a child on the roadside and dismounts his bike.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Ukrainian drones monitor these areas for resupply movement by small trucks, ground robots, or dismounted troops.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Definition of dismount

Browse Nearby Words

aliens
alight
alighted
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Cite this Entry

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of alight for Spanish Speakers

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