as in lamps
something that provides illumination
the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in illumines
to supply with light
a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of beacons
March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Search and rescue tools attached to these satellites are able to detect emergency distress signals transmitted by 406 beacons — devices that are specifically designed to ping the satellite.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Three were not buried and immediately began a companion rescue, using avalanche beacons, probes and shovels to search for friends and partners.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
The survivors used avalanche beacons and iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Backcountry skiers typically carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons to help find each other if they get buried in snow, and probes to dig each other out.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Greene said authorities were notified about the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which was leading the expedition, and the skiers' emergency beacons.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Avalanche beacons, or transceivers, are short-range radio transceivers worn by every member of a ski or backcountry party.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers, and at least one guide was able to send text messages.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
In addition to the traffic signal, the project will come with pedestrian improvement and warning beacons.
—March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Search and rescue tools attached to these satellites are able to detect emergency distress signals transmitted by 406 beacons — devices that are specifically designed to ping the satellite.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Three were not buried and immediately began a companion rescue, using avalanche beacons, probes and shovels to search for friends and partners.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
The survivors used avalanche beacons and iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Backcountry skiers typically carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons to help find each other if they get buried in snow, and probes to dig each other out.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Greene said authorities were notified about the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which was leading the expedition, and the skiers' emergency beacons.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Avalanche beacons, or transceivers, are short-range radio transceivers worn by every member of a ski or backcountry party.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers, and at least one guide was able to send text messages.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacons
Noun
-
The ceiling fans, wicker chairs, ceramic lamps?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Smaller items are also available at bargain prices, including forks for 10 cents, luggage racks for $8, drink dispensers for $10 and lamps for $10.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flashing lights and costumed officers flood the theater, as Bernthal and Hecht awkwardly try to get the audience to chant along.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
And star-formation will continue for trillions of years, providing new lights in the sky and new chances for cataclysms like supernovae, kilonovae, and tidal disruption events.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Fluffy Optic cleaner head illuminates hidden dirt on the floor, and the auto-cleaning mode adjusts power based on floor type, helping conserve energy for efficient cleaning.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Gomez opted for a true neutral petal mani, which illuminates her natural nail bed and adds the subtlest flush of pink.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brumbelow has found that cars with headlights rated highly by IIHS for visibility—which includes many but not all LED headlights—have 19% fewer nighttime crashes compared to cars with poor headlight visibility.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beacons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacons. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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