Synonyms of beacon

beacon 1 of 2

noun

ˈbē-kən 

as in light

something that provides illumination

the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons

Synonyms & Similar Words

• light
• lamp
• lighting
• candle
• flashlight
• headlight
• illuminant
• lighthouse
• lantern
• floodlight
• electric
• spotlight
• chandelier
• streetlight
• arc lamp
• light bulb
• fluorescent lamp
• flashbulb
• incandescent lamp
• candelabra
• gaslight
• candelabrum
• flare
• sconce
• flash
• sun lamp
• klieg light
• flashcube
• dark lantern
• gasolier
• girandole

beacon

2 of 2

verb

as in to illumine

to supply with light

a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• illumine
• illuminate
• light
• brighten
• irradiate
• lighten
• beam
• bathe
• illume
• glow
• shine
• beat (down)
• emblaze
• highlight
• radiate
• blind
• floodlight
• spotlight
• ignite
• halo
• gleam
• glisten
• kindle
• dazzle
• flame
• glare
• glitter
• blaze
• enhalo
• incinerate
• fire
• burn
• daze
• bedazzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dim
• dull
• obscure
• darken
• veil
• cover
• blacken
• obfuscate
• extinguish
• put out
• quench
• shroud
• douse
• snuff (out)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of beacon

Noun

Combs was a beacon of inspiration not just for the Black community, but for those who admired the classic American spirit of forging one’s own destiny. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

That type of growth acts like a beacon to other non-energy investors, and suddenly Chi has found his companies’ funding rounds increasingly crowded. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

In its early years, it was located smack in the middle of the grounds, a beaconing festival-goers with beats, cirque performances and the all-important misters. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024

Growing underground with their luminous flowers beaconing through the soil, around 90 species of Thismia have been discovered. — Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023