as in lamps
something that provides illumination
the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in illumines
to supply with light
a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of beacons
David Szondy
june 18, New Atlas, 18 June 2026
Albuquerque is full of creative, artistic neon signs, once glowing beacons for motels, cafes, and attractions.
—Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026
To sail through the strait without being detected by Iran, many ships are turning off their Automatic Identification Systems, which are navigational beacons that broadcast their positions to avoid collisions.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Host Rachel Holt visits this coastal landmark to uncover the stories, artifacts, and maritime history behind one of the South Shore's most enduring beacons.
—Rachel Holt, CBS News, 17 May 2026
The data is fairly precise, measured to within 3 meters every 2 minutes based on the Global Positioning System, Bluetooth beacons, cell phone towers and local wi-fi networks.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Much of the Vision Zero budget goes toward road safety improvements such as pedestrian crossing beacons and flashing stop signs.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Retailers like Macy's, Target and CVS already use bluetooth low-energy beacons for aisle-level positioning.
—Ismail Amla, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Swift was never designed for outside maintenance or docking with another spacecraft, so there are no standard docking rings, magnetic capture fixtures, or cooperative navigation beacons.
—David Szondy
june 18, New Atlas, 18 June 2026
Albuquerque is full of creative, artistic neon signs, once glowing beacons for motels, cafes, and attractions.
—Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026
To sail through the strait without being detected by Iran, many ships are turning off their Automatic Identification Systems, which are navigational beacons that broadcast their positions to avoid collisions.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Host Rachel Holt visits this coastal landmark to uncover the stories, artifacts, and maritime history behind one of the South Shore's most enduring beacons.
—Rachel Holt, CBS News, 17 May 2026
The data is fairly precise, measured to within 3 meters every 2 minutes based on the Global Positioning System, Bluetooth beacons, cell phone towers and local wi-fi networks.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Much of the Vision Zero budget goes toward road safety improvements such as pedestrian crossing beacons and flashing stop signs.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Retailers like Macy's, Target and CVS already use bluetooth low-energy beacons for aisle-level positioning.
—Ismail Amla, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacons
Noun
-
Some of the tools used in cognitive behavioral therapy include light therapy lamps, wake-up lights and sound machines.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
-
Outdoor-grade string lights that are installed in threaded hooks will require little to no attention from you, while rechargeable lamps will need to be brought inside periodically and plugged in.—
Jenny Hughes,
The Spruce,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
By late afternoon, people tend to drift toward a neighbor’s backyard, someone lights the barbecue, and kids sort themselves into games of backyard cricket.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
-
Turn the pool lights off at night.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The Greek patriarch will light candles and then the flame is passed from one candle to the next.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Math illuminates how traffic flows, how our cells build proteins and even how to speed up medical imaging scans.—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
14 June 2026
-
Compact and endlessly charming, Touch of Gold® Holly shines year-round with brilliant golden foliage that illuminates the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Brumbelow has found that cars with headlights rated highly by IIHS for visibility—which includes many but not all LED headlights—have 19% fewer nighttime crashes compared to cars with poor headlight visibility.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beacons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacons. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
