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

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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

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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

Notably, last week, the famous Fontainebleau Forest near Paris was set alight, destroying 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of woodland. — Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 In December, 2024, a synagogue in Melbourne was destroyed in an arson attack; seven months later, another was set alight during Shabbat. — Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Verb

About halfway up, the orange-and-black butterflies had begun appearing in groups, alighting on flowers or gathering to sip water from puddles. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 When considering a refreshing summer beverage, the mind does not immediately alight upon milk. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight

Adjective

From the Rodeo Drive entrance, the store opens into a bright accessories area where handbags are spaced along illuminated stone shelves and glass-and-metal vitrines.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
The team's official drumline, The Pack, pounded on illuminated drums during quarter breaks, while Skye, the team's sassy, blue-haired lioness mascot, jumped onto the T-shirt cannon to launch souvenir merchandise high into stadium seats.

— Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 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

Video captured by security cameras perched on the mountainside show the horrifying moment when the wall of mud descended on the Gyirong Port facility, swallowing the six-story building whole as dozens of people run for their lives.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026
Start your day with a lakeside walk, then visit Meersburg Castle, the town’s medieval fortress, before heading to the New Castle (Neues Schloss), a Baroque palace perched above the lake, for panoramic views.

— Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of perch

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

Hrgović landed one, two, three hard right hands late in the round.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Song landed a powerful right uppercut in the second round, securing a significant victory that bolsters his bantamweight title contention, despite a recent loss to Sean O'Malley.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of land

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

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Style

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of alight

adjective

verb

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