alights

present tense third-person singular of alight
1
as in perches
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 descends
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alights
Verb
  • The Ringed Kingfisher perches up to 30 feet above the surface, watching for medium-size fish and then plunging in headfirst with a mighty splash.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • And frequent appearances by a pigeon that perches on her windowsill like a Greek chorus, mocking her self-abasement and growing detachment from reality, seem a tad heavy-handed.
    Book Marks August 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Carol is casually chatting with her manager and romantic partner, Helen (Miriam Shor), when the pathogen descends on everyone, creating a horrific scene of silent, seizing bodies.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Regardless, this film also boasts a oner for the ages, as a raincoat mafia descends upon a rave and a pair of bloodthirsty lovers.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • No design elements compel particular notice, but their combination lands a couple notches safely above the telegenically bland.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Whoever lands the role is stepping into arguably the highest-profile job in global entertainment.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In the climax, the yacht docks in Norway, and everyone disembarks.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Alights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alights. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

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