as in lamps
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 illumines
to supply with light
a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of beacons
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The survivors used avalanche beacons and iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Backcountry skiers typically carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons to help find each other if they get buried in snow, and probes to dig each other out.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Greene said authorities were notified about the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which was leading the expedition, and the skiers' emergency beacons.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Avalanche beacons, or transceivers, are short-range radio transceivers worn by every member of a ski or backcountry party.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers, and at least one guide was able to send text messages.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Authorities said emergency beacons carried by the group helped pinpoint their location.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Rohan was first, for Rohan Shivakumar, the Yale student who first analyzed it, and Gondor was next, because, well — the beacons were lit!
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Search and rescue tools attached to these satellites are able to detect emergency distress signals transmitted by 406 beacons — devices that are specifically designed to ping the satellite.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
The survivors used avalanche beacons and iPhone Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Backcountry skiers typically carry safety equipment such as avalanche beacons to help find each other if they get buried in snow, and probes to dig each other out.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Greene said authorities were notified about the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, which was leading the expedition, and the skiers' emergency beacons.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Avalanche beacons, or transceivers, are short-range radio transceivers worn by every member of a ski or backcountry party.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers, and at least one guide was able to send text messages.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Authorities said emergency beacons carried by the group helped pinpoint their location.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Rohan was first, for Rohan Shivakumar, the Yale student who first analyzed it, and Gondor was next, because, well — the beacons were lit!
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacons
Noun
-
How Often To Clean Light Fixtures Lightly dust lamps, sconces, and other easy-to-reach light fixtures every two weeks at a minimum to prevent dust from accumulating.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Inevitably there will be impromptu photo shoots next to the most photographed work in LACMA’s collection, Urban Light, the series of street lamps that acts as catnip to tourists and influencers.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While the main areas can be dramatic and flashy with the disco balls, string lights, and bold colors, the rooms are light and serene—the perfect places to unwind and fall blissfully asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That doesn’t mean there’s a danger the lights will go out, Pereira said.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
At these times, sunlight illuminates exhaust from the rocket's upper stage, which is composed primarily of water vapor and carbon dioxide.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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