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
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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
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Recent Examples of alight
Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025
The Hot Topics table was alight with a discussion about how multiple Republicans are reportedly considering leaving their congressional posts early over frustrations with the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Determining the species of necrophagous flies (the kind that alight on a body, then lay eggs there) and other insects isn't always easy, though, and forensic entomology is such a specialized discipline that few law enforcement agencies have ready access to an expert in the field.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Adjective
The librarian handed me The Sorcerer’s Stone, her face alight.
—Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025
The Hot Topics table was alight with a discussion about how multiple Republicans are reportedly considering leaving their congressional posts early over frustrations with the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
Intent on proving the viability of their partnership, Judy and Nick alight on yet another case that puts the health and happiness of every Zootopia inhabitant on the line.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025
Determining the species of necrophagous flies (the kind that alight on a body, then lay eggs there) and other insects isn't always easy, though, and forensic entomology is such a specialized discipline that few law enforcement agencies have ready access to an expert in the field.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
Adjective
-
The Canon image sensor is a back-illuminated 45-megapixel full-frame flavor, the same category as pro cameras like the Canon EOS R5 II.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2026
-
That means a silver sliver of the moon will be visible, with most of its illuminated half facing away from Earth, NASA explains.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Mona’s memorial was held at Skyrim, the family farmhouse perched on a hilltop outside Columbia, Missouri.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In her videos, which often draw tens of thousands of views, Neilis' children — ranging in age from 2 years old to 14 — are perched on the countertop or on her hip.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then, later, more than 1,000 fans descended on Old Trafford itself, with hundreds gaining access to the stadium and getting onto the pitch, eventually causing the match, which was due to be aired live on Sky Sports, to be postponed.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Has not the potential of violence been lit up when local law enforcement is nowhere to be found when protesters and agitators descend upon the hotels where ICE is staying?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Giants have had four since 2018, and general manager Schoen is on a blazing-hot seat.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In nuclear thermal rockets, a small nuclear reactor heats up a propellant — often liquid hydrogen — to blazing temperatures in the thousands of degrees.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 20-year-old artist tackled the track in-studio alongside his band, just one week after landing inside the top 10 of Australia’s annual Hottest 100 countdown himself.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
31 Jan. 2026
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And now Daboll is in Tennessee, coaching the quarterback the Giants tried and failed to land atop the draft.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The popular halftime performer known as Red Panda finished her signature seven-minute set, looked up at a crowd of fans chanting her name and flashed a smile before dismounting.—
Alanis Thames,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
A week later, Rosen dismounted early during her balance beam routine, tallying a score below a 9.0 for the first time.—
Benjamin Royer,
Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On his forearm, Johnson sports a tattoo of the Skyway Grill’s flaming burger logo.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Bowie sported a flaming red mullet, glamorous outfits and pale white makeup for the character, who became a lasting symbol of the 1970s.—
Alex Heigl,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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