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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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

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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
Topline Billionaire Taylor Swift’s wedding to her NFL star fiancé Travis Kelce is rumored to be a massive New York City affair over Fourth of July weekend—and betting markets are alight with predictions of who will attend and who will support the famous couple as bridesmaids and groomsmen. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Police are investigating recent attacks as anti-immigrant sentiment surges, including the killing of two Mozambicans in a small coastal town this month during unrest that also saw more than 50 homes set alight in an immigrant neighborhood, according to local authorities. — ABC News, 24 June 2026
Verb
About halfway up, the orange-and-black butterflies had begun appearing in groups, alighting on flowers or gathering to sip water from puddles. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 When considering a refreshing summer beverage, the mind does not immediately alight upon milk. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
  1. illuminated
  2. burning
  3. perch
  4. descend
  5. illumined
  6. blazing
  7. land
  8. dismount
Adjective
  • The energy was later brought back up, getting fans back on their feet, when Karol G and her dancers started making their way to the illuminated stone pool on the B-stage.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Holy Land’s brightly illuminated cross atop Pine Hill in Waterbury has been a landmark to I-84 travelers all along.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 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
  • On the heels of the death of his longtime mate Jackie, bald eagle Shadow has been perching, singing and lounging at his Big Bear nest with a new companion.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Davis told the Las Vegas detective that after the shooting, his group parked the Cadillac behind the Carriage House hotel and perched the gun on the tire on the vehicle’s front passenger side.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • Fully unrolled, the canvas was the size of the cargo container, looking like a dust storm descending over a desert town.
    — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • No other spacecraft has ever descended into the moon’s shadowy south polar craters, although NASA did crash a rocket into one in 2009 and watched a resultant plume of water vapor burst out.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • The backdrop is brightly illumined screens that hurt your eyes.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of illumined
Adjective
  • Anrabess Sleeveless Maxi Sundress, $44 During summer’s blazing-hot weather, wearing cotton pieces like this Chartou Shift Dress and Chouyatou Striped style is a must for keeping cool.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • Allergens, hot temps and blazing rays can make eyes extra scratchy and dry.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026
Definition of blazing
Verb
  • As Emmy voting gets underway, the show landed 11 nominations, including an outstanding host for a reality or reality competition program nod for RuPaul.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Garry is live to land one big shot but that will be tough, and otherwise will need to win multiple rounds with some volume and damage.
    — Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of land
Verb
  • Governing bodies in neighboring San Ramon, San Anselmo in Marin County, and Burlingame in San Mateo County have adopted similar policies requiring people to dismount e-bikes when traveling through public parks.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage involved in the fatal crash suspended the driver indefinitely and plans to retire the horse, according to union officials, who said the driver improperly dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of alight for Spanish Speakers

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