alight 1 of 2

alight

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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
Adjective
My hands smeared in gore, eyes alight with frenzied ecstasy. Literary Hub, 17 July 2025 The Cowboy Carter tour has been alight with big brands putting their spin on Bey’s glamorous cowgirl aesthetic. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Verb
Sound of Falling skips back and forth through time, alighting on moments of both horror and grace across a century in the lives of four women—adolescent and adult—inhabiting the same unsettled spaces. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 Soon the reasoning for that bit of concealment becomes clear: a team of bounty hunters has alighted on the town, looking for someone named Washington Black. Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
Adjective
  • While the skyscraper's exterior has already become an illuminated ornament on Detroit's skyline, the interior isn't yet finished, and the hotel and condos aren't expected until 2027.
    JC Reindl, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Hypersonic cruise vehicles that operate below about 30 km (19 miles) wouldn’t create such large, illuminated plumes, and terminal dives wouldn’t produce extensive, bright displays that could be seen over a wide area.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
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
  • The middle aisle is restocked with home goods, organizers, candles, cleaning gadgets, even clothing and shoes, and new ALDI food items are stocked on the shelves, perched and ready for the deals to be snapped up by customers.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Burnett perched in a director’s chair beneath a portable ring light.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Once federal police and the National Guard descended on Washington, incidents further declined to 3,592.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In an interview with Ars Technica, Fiaschetti said the company plans to keep Arcs in orbit for extended periods, ready to descend when called upon.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Competition, passive-aggressive zingers and hard feelings turn their relationship into a flaming hot mess.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Firemen spoke of seeing tenants sitting outside flaming buildings with their belongings neatly arranged beside them.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Somehow, after the plane landed though before Andrés and Daria reached the taxi stand, Daria’s wallet went missing.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Keiko Agena had small roles on shows like Sister, Sister, Felicity and Beverly Hills, 90210 before landing the role of Rory Gilmore's best friend, Lane.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After having dismounted, the person crossed the street and moved into a wooded area.
    Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This enables wide distribution across the front lines, especially in areas where soldiers are primarily dismounted.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Powdery mildew coats the leaves of roses and zinnias, blazing heat withers your veggies, and weeds are the only plants that seem to be thriving.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
  • And while hotel pizzas are typically nothing to write home about, the versions here, made with from-scratch dough, are baked in a blazing-hot brick oven—yielding an irresistibly thin and crunchy crust.
    Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!