as in light
something that provides illumination
the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to illumine
to supply with light
a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beacon
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Wherever Lafayette traveled, parades and speeches proclaimed the United States the world’s beacon of liberty.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023
In the meantime, January will beacon you into hermit mode, especially at the top of the month due to the Cancer full moon on Friday, January 6.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for beacon
Noun
As others near and far looked upon Connecticut’s commitment to open government, a decades long struggle began and continues here in the Constitution State to sustain the law that served as a beacon for millions.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Wherever Lafayette traveled, parades and speeches proclaimed the United States the world’s beacon of liberty.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Growing underground with their luminous flowers beaconing through the soil, around 90 species of Thismia have been discovered.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023
In the meantime, January will beacon you into hermit mode, especially at the top of the month due to the Cancer full moon on Friday, January 6.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for beacon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacon
Noun
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
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These include dimming the lights and minimizing the use of electronics before bed, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, maintaining a sleeping environment that's cool, dark, and quiet.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
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These fruits are tiny stars, planets in arm’s reach, little moons reddened by desire and cunning, the sun, at each step, illumines the petals of the dogwood flowers, their bright yellow is dimmed by no leaf, on their still-bare branches the first fissure in winter opens up by magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The lamp portion has a traditional lantern look, which subtly has a solar panel at top to power each device.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Mar. 2026
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More furniture, lamps, art, masks, and sculptures came from the warehouses to fill the new wing.—
Dana Thomas,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The case illuminates how authorities are enforcing California’s strict ABC independent contractor test, codified at Labor Code section 2775.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Clapper illuminated the installation with lightning bolts to symbolize speed, protection and pride, and included a perforated skin mapping nearby streets.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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City records from November show police planned to install six more cameras and increase lighting.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Fans of the thunder-and-lighting combination — or the former Sonic and Knuckles moniker for Detroit Lions fans — will see the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Brown as a bolt out of the backfield who excels in catching the ball.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The RiNo spot has been home to seven retailers, from an art supply store to a candle shop to a tattoo parlor.—
Matthew Geiger,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
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But instead of simply coating the offending area with air freshener or lighting a candle to mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacon. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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