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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of alights
But before the action alights in the location of the latest dispute between adjacent property owners to catch the eye of directors Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford (yes, grandson of Robert), the shot fills with the telltale red, white and blue of the American flag.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Cash, an editor at Forever Magazine, has written a first novel that alights on plenty of hot topics without seeming limited by them.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Cash, an editor at Forever Magazine, has written a first novel that alights on plenty of hot topics without seeming limited by them.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alights
Verb
-
Even the squirrels in the backyard and the bird that perches on the deck are put on notice.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
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As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
As the friends and business rivals debate their level of responsibility and decide on a course of action, the weekend descends into scheming, politicking, and violence.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The appearance lands as SXSW marks four decades in Austin, with this year’s festival scheduled for March 12–18.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Who is in the boardroom also impacts who lands in the C-suite.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When border agents board during a stop (each with wanted posters of Philip and Elizabeth), Paige disembarks.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In the climax, the yacht docks in Norway, and everyone disembarks.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alights. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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