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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beacons
Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Military aircraft contain emergency locator beacons that transmit automatically after a crash or after pilots eject.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
That includes flashing beacons and bump-outs at Wauwatosa Avenue and Wright Street, bump-outs and signage at Lloyd and 73rd streets and improvements near schools at Center and 120th streets.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Three were not buried and immediately began a companion rescue, using avalanche beacons, probes and shovels to search for friends and partners.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 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
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
Noun
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
Military aircraft contain emergency locator beacons that transmit automatically after a crash or after pilots eject.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
That includes flashing beacons and bump-outs at Wauwatosa Avenue and Wright Street, bump-outs and signage at Lloyd and 73rd streets and improvements near schools at Center and 120th streets.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Three were not buried and immediately began a companion rescue, using avalanche beacons, probes and shovels to search for friends and partners.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacons
Noun
-
Colors and shapes from tiles, fabrics, Moroccan lamps and hanging plants saturate the place.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of the patio consisting of a grill and a couple of chairs, patios are mirroring interiors and serving as full outdoor living rooms complete with comfy seating, fireplaces, mounted TVs, rugs, lamps, and accessories.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On her wish list this year, there are string lights for $20 and a glass birdbath for $35.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The lights around the ballpark flash on and off while the music blares, moments before Miller turns the lights off on whichever unfortunate hitters have to face him.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Approximately 45 states now allow high school athletes to earn NIL money, which shows the professionalization of youth sports and illuminates how parents can play a decisive role in shaping their children’s earnings.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The other mode, Edge Light, illuminates your face by creating a virtual ring light around the edges of the display.—
Tony Hoffman,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 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
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 24 Apr. 2026.
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