1
as in illuminated
filled with much light
we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burning
chiefly British
being on fire
the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 alight
Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 8 Feb. 2025
Police fired tear gas, and embassy buildings were set alight and looted, the Associated Press reported.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
In the spring of last year, eighteen professors met to discuss university governance and alighted on the idea of creating a faculty senate—something that Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and many other schools already have.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Adjective
In one key scene, when Roz jumps from a ship while the forest is alight with magenta fire, shows off how the painterly style matches the soundscape.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 8 Feb. 2025
Police fired tear gas, and embassy buildings were set alight and looted, the Associated Press reported.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
The male godwits are the first to appear, alighting in the boggy tundra fen.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
In the spring of last year, eighteen professors met to discuss university governance and alighted on the idea of creating a faculty senate—something that Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and many other schools already have.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
Adjective
-
Keep scrolling for more can’t-miss deals and the answers to your most burning questions about Way Day.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Mud puddles are courageous, too, when returning the unblinking, burning gaze of the sky’s white eye.—
contributing Monitor poets,
Christian Science Monitor,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Named for famous astronomer Vera Rubin, the observatory is perched on a mountain in northern Chile in the foothills of the Andes.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
-
People are perched atop the car, as well as those hanging off its side, in an impressive, partially aerial twerk.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Last year, Japan saw record numbers of international visitors, many of whom descend on regions like Kyoto to buy high-grade matcha rarely available overseas.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
20 June 2025
-
Keyboardist Tim Lauer wrote a string arrangement that included a heat-inducing, descending glissando.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Somewhat surprisingly, flaming saganaki is now also catching on in Greece, especially in tourist-heavy restaurants, such as the Athens Yacht Club.—
David Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2025
-
Among the disturbing scenes from the recent Los Angeles protests, which erupted over federal immigration raids, are those in which protestors stood around the flaming Waymos.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
There’s very little chance the club’s top selection (currently landing in the third round) will have any impact on the Oilers’ fortunes before the end of the decade.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
Jones sustained the injury after landing on Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb’s foot on a shot attempt at the 8:35 mark of the second quarter on Thursday.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
Dragoons followed in leather breeches and woolen gaiters, dismounted for the moment but hopeful of finding American horses ahead.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
-
Fixed an issue where players attempting to save and load during the 'Get on your mount' objective caused Rin to spawn dismounted and follow Yasuke on foot, blocking progression.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Thousands of fans, decked out in red, navy, and gold, lined the streets to cheer on their champions under the blazing Florida sun.—
Al Diaz,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
-
Some types of blazing star have tall flower spikes, while others produce smaller blooms that look like pompoms.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Make sure to listen for the small nudges of interest, the tiny sparks of joy and the things that light you up.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
The violence included rioters hurling projectiles at law enforcement officers and lighting numerous self-driving electric vehicles on fire.—
Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share