BEACON Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

beacon 1 of 2

noun

ˈbē-kən

Definition of beacon

as in light

something that provides illumination the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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beacon

2 of 2

verb

as in to illumine

to supply with light a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor

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 beacon

Noun

Combs was a beacon of inspiration not just for the Black community, but for those who admired the classic American spirit of forging one’s own destiny. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 That type of growth acts like a beacon to other non-energy investors, and suddenly Chi has found his companies’ funding rounds increasingly crowded. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

In its early years, it was located smack in the middle of the grounds, a beaconing festival-goers with beats, cirque performances and the all-important misters. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024 Growing underground with their luminous flowers beaconing through the soil, around 90 species of Thismia have been discovered. — Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for beacon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacon

Noun

But most visitors were gathered around one explosively colorful painting in swirling shades of light and dark blue, bottle green, and pale gold.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Two lasers replace hardware Optical frequency combs work much like rulers for light.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of light

Verb

Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.

— Tessa Hadley, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026

Definition of illumine

Noun

The nesting tables are by Frederick Kiesler, the lamp is Gino Sarfatti design, and the stool is Poul Kjærholm’s PK91.

— Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
In day scenes, film lights were only used where natural light fell short; at night, the team relied as much as possible on existing streetlights and lamps.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of lamp

Verb

The book covers an enormous chunk of British screen history (1896 to 2001), with each chapter uncovering and illuminating the careers of early Black screen pioneers.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Dinner was served family-style at two long tables illuminated by hundreds of candles.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminate

Noun

Feeling gleeful at the first excuse to pull on a sweater or light an autumn candle?

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Oct. 2026
Coinciding with the presentation that christened her store, Hod also launched a fragrance blending green tea and orchid blossoms, which is available to purchase as a perfume, candle or diffuser.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of candle

Browse Nearby Words

beachside

beacon

beaconed

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Style

“Beacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacon. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of beacon

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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