Synonyms of alighting

alighting

verb

present participle of alight

1

as in perching

to come to rest after descending from the air

a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perching
• landing
• roosting
• lighting
• settling
• touching down
• crash-landing
• belly-landing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• arising
• ascending
• climbing
• taking off
• flying
• floating
• gliding
• soaring
• hovering
• hanging
• blasting off
• winging
• planing

2

as in descending

to come down from something (as a vehicle)

as she alighted from the train, she momentarily lost her footing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• descending
• dismounting
• disembarking
• lighting
• getting down
• deplaning
• detraining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• embarking
• boarding
• mounting
• climbing (aboard)
• getting in
• entraining
• enplaning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of alighting

The book always came to mind when taking a walk out in the forest and seeing the hypnotic curl of a fern or a bird alighting on a branch inches away from me. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Over a career spanning six decades, Herzog has become one of the most influential figures in international cinema, working on around 80 films often alighting on the subjects of obsession, extreme situations and the contradictions of human nature. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

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

From the poetic paintings, sculptures, photographs, and videos in Rashid Johnson’s Guggenheim survey to Larry Bell’s colorful new glass cubes alighting in Madison Square Park, recent presentations gave us hope for the future. — Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026

After alighting in a New York City subway station last year, Matthieu Blazy will be unveiling his next Métiers d’Art collection in Rome, Chanel said Friday. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

Just as the sun prepared to sink beyond the escarpments, its rays struck every piece of the fractured glass resting on top of the window frames, alighting all of them at once, as if they were shot with electricity. — New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Images showed Kim in a black jacket, alighting a mobile missile launcher near the main stage as thousands of people waved small North Korean flags. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026