alight 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alightnext
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids

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2
as in burning
chiefly British being on fire the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived

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alight

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt How to pronounce alight (audio)
1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond

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2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle) as she alighted from the train, she momentarily lost her footing

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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 alight
Adjective
Instead, its discreet entrance beckons you into a foyer alight with more than a dozen dangling glass lamps crafted by Barovier & Toso of Murano, and a sketch-like portrait of the actress Monica Vitti by the Franco-Chinese painter Yan Pei-Ming. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026 Questions plague the handling of 14-year-old Agostina’s case After Agostina’s death, protesters directed anger at local law enforcement, setting tires alight in the streets of Cordoba. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Verb
The story will alight on themes central to Park’s oeuvre of vengeance, retribution, the consequences of violence and the power of memory and family, but this time in the American West. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 Four alighted on a paper towel dispenser. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
  1. illuminated
  2. burning
  3. perch
  4. descend
  5. light
  6. blazing
  7. land
  8. dismount
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, travelers visiting in December can experience Jungle Lights, the garden’s annual holiday display, which transforms the grounds into a festive, illuminated landscape.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
  • The massive illuminated sign, which hung outside New York City's Ed Sullivan Theater throughout Colbert's nearly 11-year run as host, was purchased at auction earlier this year and now sits on the rooftop of WeHo Bistro.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 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
Verb
  • When the earthquake struck, Villafaña was in a fourth-floor room at the Santuario La Llanada hotel, formerly known as Negra Hipólita, perched on a hillside surrounded by vegetation in La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the twin earthquakes.
    — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • Named Venezia Pacifica, the mega-mansion is perched on over an acre of land in the Cliffside Drive cul-de-sac.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 July 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • But last weekend’s mayhem, in which thousands descended on the community and more than 400 ended up under arrest, has hit Newport Beach differently, spurring calls for the city leaders to take decisive action.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Barely a month ago, there was plenty of fretting that FIFA had grossly overestimated the crowds that would descend on the tournament’s host cities and stadiums.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • The bottom offers comfortable tummy control, and the sheer butterfly sleeves offer light, breathable sun protection across my shoulders.
    — Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • Since the homemade icing on the cake is so sweet, and the real star of the show, my mom always opts for a lighter chocolate cake mix, like milk chocolate, instead of dark chocolate or fudge.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of light
Adjective
  • Its most striking feature, however, is tied to Houston’s blazing 12-season NBA career.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 June 2026
  • The unexpected design adds instant intrigue to the space while still serving the functional role of offering a cool respite from the sun's blazing rays.
    — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
Definition of blazing
Verb
  • Your unconventional ideas land better when people can experience them instead of only hearing about them.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • That lowers the chance of landing on a fake claim page built to steal your information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of land
Verb
  • Their father dismounted, went down on foot, climbed the fence his son had crawled under.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Suffering from a broken rib and sinus infection, Remco Evenepoel hands his bidon to a child on the roadside and dismounts his bike.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of dismount

Browse Nearby Words

aliens
alight
alighted
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Cite this Entry

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of alight for Spanish Speakers

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