Synonyms of light
-
as in glow 
-
as in lamp
-
as in star
-
as in sunrise
-
as in lightweight
-
as in smooth
-
as in sparse
-
as in graceful
-
as in gentle
-
as in fluffy
-
as in illuminated
-
as in faded
-
as in pale
-
as in to burn
-
as in to illumine
-
as in to perch
-
as in to descend
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
he read poetry to her by the light of the moon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lamp
something that provides illumination
turn off the light when you go to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in star
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a leading light in the acting profession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
1
as in lightweight
having little weight
It was no problem carrying the suitcase up the stairs since it was light.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort
a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
traffic on the highway seems to be very light today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in graceful
moving easily
the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
light punishment to fit a minor offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fluffy
resembling air in lightness
the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light
the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
we painted the walls a light blue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to illumine
to supply with light
the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Waterspouts become favorable when water temperatures are warm, the air is cold and moist, and wind speeds are relatively light.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Mercury currently has the appearance of a waxing gibbous moon, with its right side lit by direct sunlight and its left bathed in shadow.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The base is designed to mimic the branches of a Crestwood Spruce tree after a light dusting of snow.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Waterspouts become favorable when water temperatures are warm, the air is cold and moist, and wind speeds are relatively light.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Check how much light your specific orchid needs.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Mercury currently has the appearance of a waxing gibbous moon, with its right side lit by direct sunlight and its left bathed in shadow.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
-
Astronomers have unveiled the largest low-frequency radio color image of the Milky Way ever created, offering a sprawling cosmic panorama that reveals supernova remnants, stellar nurseries, pulsars and the intricate glow of gas and dust weaving through our galaxy’s heart.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
And in October 2025, her daughter emulated mom's rosy glow and undone hair in the same dress at the PAC NYC Icons of Culture Gala alongside dad Michael Douglas.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a compromise, Nico has taken one of the lamps back and set it on the floor, shrouded with his own shirt.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And the autumn Paris weather played nice — just a few gusts knocking down some lamps and a few showers prompting umbrellas to save our gear!—
Greg Palkot,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The photos showed the reality TV star sitting in an emergency room chair holding an ice pack to his face.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
On possession after possession, González picked up Brunson full court and tried his best to pester the Knicks star.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 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
-
Break out the sunglasses and lower those sun shades — the season of early-morning safety closures for sun glare on eastbound Interstate 70 at Floyd Hill is back.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The object, temporarily obscured from Earth by solar glare, is being closely tracked by spacecraft, including those operated by NASA.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The aesthetic is defined by deep red and forest green tartans, warm lighting, elevated accents, and sophisticated dinnerware that evokes classic holiday charm with a polished Americana flair.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The residence’s cosmopolitan glamour, courtesy of the French interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot, showcases custom millwork, an array of rare marbles, and artful modern lighting.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Xi’s predecessor Jiang Zemin, who served as president between 1993 and 2003, was known for his flamboyant personality, cosmopolitan flair and willingness to show off his language skills and interact with journalists.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The body paint looks as if it were done with skin-tight leggings, while the television personality appears to be topless under the paint.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Su told Fortune that Brockman’s insistence on thinking big was essential to making the deal—which sent AMD’s stock soaring 24% the day it was announced.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The news comes a week after the school fired football head coach Brian Kelly and then former athletic director Scott Woodward a few days later.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share