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
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
Flames and dark smoke billowed over a cement factory that was set alight by a wildfire that swept through olive groves and forests and disrupted rail traffic on the outskirts of the Greek city of Patras, west of Athens.
—USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Sarah Rex, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2025
The second was to build what amounts to a nonflammable moat around a home to prevent embers from alighting on anything next to a house that could burn and ignite the structure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Adjective
More than 700 Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces are alight once again inside the luxurious halls of Venice’s Hotel Gabrielli.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
Flames and dark smoke billowed over a cement factory that was set alight by a wildfire that swept through olive groves and forests and disrupted rail traffic on the outskirts of the Greek city of Patras, west of Athens.
—USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the wake of such revelations, Jones needed to free his Temple from the threat of government interference and alighted upon Guyana as a new home.
—Sarah Rex, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2025
The second was to build what amounts to a nonflammable moat around a home to prevent embers from alighting on anything next to a house that could burn and ignite the structure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
Adjective
-
Guests can expect more than 1,000 illuminated displays showcasing wildlife, vibrant landscapes, scenic pathways and festive holiday scenery.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Today, nine illuminated trees float on McAdenville Lake as a tribute to the originals.—
Shameika Rhymes,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 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
-
With long, light brown hair flowing to his shoulders and thick, black-rimmed goggles perched on his nose, Meadow was one of the most distinct-looking players in college basketball.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Nov. 2025
-
In Zumaia, Ermita de San Telmo, an iconic stop on the Camino de Santiago, is a 16th-century church perched on the rocky Flysch cliffs made famous in Game of Thrones.—
Michelle Arellano Martin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The trail stays level early on and crosses the road a couple of times before descending through a grove of Arizona cypress to a shallow drainage.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Senate’s negotiations on reopening the government are descending into another impasse.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
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 Hurricanes on Sunday landed another blue-chip recruit for their Class of 2026, receiving an oral commitment from four-star cornerback JJ Dunnigan.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Yes, Indiana likely would’ve qualified for the CFP had Cooper’s heel landed out of bounds and Indiana lost.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 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
-
Blooms reach five inches across and appear in flaming red, pink, yellow, orange, and in all possible versions and mixtures of these colors.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Spotify also shared a graphic of the same design on Instagram, captioning it simply with a key emoji and flaming heart.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share