lit 1 of 4

adjective (1)

variants or lighted
Definition of litnext
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light the coat room was just lit well enough for us to identify our jackets

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2
as in burning
being on fire some lighted torches lined the path to the shrine

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lit

2 of 4

adjective (2)

as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol Raucous singing could be heard coming from tents full of lit Oktoberfest revelers.

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lit

3 of 4

verb (1)

variants or lighted
past tense of light
1
as in burned
to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

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2
as in illumined
to supply with light the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon

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lit

4 of 4

verb (2)

variants or lighted
past tense of light
1
as in perched
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

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2
as in descended
to come down from something (as a vehicle) he hurriedly lighted from the bus and started walking up the street

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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 lit
Verb
Amenities and experiences Dimly lit, the ground floor feels like a cozy living room with Texas limestone, reclaimed wood, and comfy seating by a fireplace—a nice contrast to Austin’s persistently bright outdoors. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 The whale’s gullet is flickeringly lit by a bioluminescent jellyfish that Jay sort of befriends. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Rihanna’s response lit the fuse as fans continued to gas their feud on social media. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 Judy lit his cigarette and sucked on it as if gasping for air. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 People who live in the area told CBS News Sacramento that the section of Coffee Road where the crash happened is not well lit, and that the crosswalk the teens were struck in does not have reflectors. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 But in 1857, a full-size cast of the David went on view at London’s new South Kensington Museum, which soon lit its galleries with gas so working people could see it after their shifts. — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 The Milky Way paints the sky with dark, looming clouds lit by the galaxy's many stars. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Office of President Herzog At the president’s residence in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog lit a memorial candle to open the day’s commemorative events. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lit
  1. illuminated
  2. burning
  3. drunk
  4. burned
  5. illumined
  6. perched
  7. descended
  8. light
Adjective
  • The new building measures about 50% larger than the two old terminals combined, with higher ceilings and a pair of illuminated steel sculptures by Cliff Garten flanking the main entrance.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • After sunset, the performances will continue with illuminated parachute displays, aerobatics and additional aircraft.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 9 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
Adjective
  • In a counter claim, Xuan accused Diaz of being drunk at work and trying to strangle him.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Yet, the result is still catchy enough for a drunk pub singalong.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of drunk
Verb
  • But cars have been burned, trees damaged and people hurt in communities across the Palestinian territory, with some people calling this the most dangerous season yet.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Settlers had burned cars in the neighboring village of Turmus Ayya.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of burned
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
Definition of illumined
Verb
  • The glass vases, bowls, and dishes feature a sweet little bird perched atop each one.
    — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The 18-story Plaza Hotel has been perched on Fifth Avenue since 1907 and was designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, The New York Times reported.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of perched
Verb
  • After this news and Tusk’s vocal campaign in support of Ukraine and against any possible Russian hybrid attacks, NATO and international leaders descended upon Warsaw for the international forum.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descended
Adjective
  • People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.
    — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The setting's soft color scheme matches the muted tone of his voice, with the congressman wearing a light-blue shirt in the cream-and-beige kitchen.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of light

Phrases Containing lit

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lists (for)
lit
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Cite this Entry

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

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