alights

Definition of alightsnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in descends
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

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
  • The other occurs when Marty descends a staircase in the opulent apartment that Kay shares with her rich husband, Milton (Kevin O’Leary).
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Netflix What happens when a supernatural danger descends on a blissful retirement community?
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Godfall tells the story of a small Nebraska town, which becomes the center of the world when a giant alien crash lands out of the sky beside it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Georgia Tech lands Justice Haynes Georgia Tech scored a big win on Wednesday when the Yellow Jackets landed a commitment from one of the best remaining players available in the portal.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alights. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on alights

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!