light 1 of 5

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as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance with the coming of light we could see all the damage that the storm had caused

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

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adjective (1)

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light

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adjective (2)

light

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verb (1)

light

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verb (2)

1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective light contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of light are easy, effortless, facile, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is easy a more appropriate choice than light?

In some situations, the words easy and light are roughly equivalent. However, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of light?

The words effortless and light can be used in similar contexts, but effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another, in the sense of light?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When could simple be used to replace light?

The synonyms simple and light are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to light?

Although the words smooth and light have much in common, smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

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 light
Noun
Speaking to Wall Street analysts during the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Ripley called on government regulators to ramp up their investigation of network-affiliate relations in light of the carriage fights. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 The breakthrough dramatically boosts the power of attosecond light used to probe the fastest electron motions in atoms and materials. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Trading volume on the Veterans Day holiday was lighter than average. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025 There’s a light, airy energy among them. Brooke Morrison, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
In video of the event shared on social media, several members of the audience could be seen physically assaulting one of the activists who lit a red flare. Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 A day after King Charles knighted the soccer legend, 50, at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, the former athlete's wife, Victoria Beckham, shared videos of David lighting backyard fireworks. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • The ash of the cigarette glows in the darkness of the truck.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Carrots' pigments can help give you a healthy glow and protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
    Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This end table, which is going for under $30, has three shelves that can hold a lamp, books, storage baskets, and other living room accessories.
    Kaitlin Gates, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The British company Lumie, which specializes in modern-looking light-therapy lamps, recently launched the Lumie Dash ($225), a compact, ten-thousand-lux model that comes in friendly colors like terra-cotta and pistachio.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But the game did end with Vanderbilt safety CJ Heard showing blitz at the line of scrimmage, then bailing out to help Jordan Matthews double Auburn star receiver Cam Coleman in the end zone.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But the very nature of the connection between stars and their audience is now evolving, according to the IMDb report.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The east-west axis of the monumental structure was aligned with the direction of the sunrise on October 17 and February 24, leading Inomata to think that the monument might have acted as a ritual site during important days of the Maya calendar year.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Sip cachaça or local beers inside as the club fills, then make new friends as the party spills into the street and conversations last until sunrise.
    Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Caesar and Coca were soon joined on the show by the diminutive Howard Morris, whom Caesar could hoist from the ground and glare at face to face, and by Carl Reiner, tall like Caesar but as happy as Sid was miserable—the ideal second banana.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Despite the glare, the family had smiles on their faces, with Diana lovingly holding Harry's hand.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Teams that set meeting windows, encourage short breaks, and support ergonomic basics may notice steadier output and fewer end-of-week slumps, especially when people adjust lighting, seat height, and screen distance to reduce eye strain.
    Jason Phillips, IndyStar, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Adams drove the route through the warehouse-y section of Albuquerque that had been chosen for Scene 46, and saw that the way the shadows hit the car would inevitably create a shadow of the camera and of any lighting equipment on Seehorn’s face.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Glenn, the clear point person in the organization as a former Jets first-round pick with a strong personality and the advantage of being hired before the GM, Darren Mougey, is in a less favorable position now.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Johnson told me that each character—even the repugnant ones—is a facet of his own personality.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Feel free to bring the kids, who can enjoy a kids' corner with arts and crafts, story times and more, as well as Teen Scene all day activities.
    Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Some families had to go without benefits for several days this month, Haynes said, and many federal workers in the Sacramento region are going unpaid in a season when the demand for food assistance always soars.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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