beam 1 of 2

noun

ˈbēm How to pronounce beam (audio)
Definition of beamnext
as in ray
a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object we'll need a flashlight that casts a broader beam in order to really see anything

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beam

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to shine
to emit rays of light a lighthouse has beamed from this site since the 1790s

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grin
to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward my father beamed when I showed him my new car

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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 beam
Noun
For months before today’s launch, Google has been anticipating those problems on Earth, shaking spacecraft to simulate the launch and bombarding its chips with proton beams to test their response to radiation. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026 These timber floor structures negate the need for downstand beams (which project below the underside of the floor slab and support it). — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
Stage lights beamed down on me, and the ferry cabin itself was extremely muggy. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 And critically, how to beam the news from the air to a receiving dish on a mountain and ultimately to millions of Angelenos. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beam
  1. ray
  2. shine
  3. grin
  4. glow
  5. smile
  6. laugh
Noun
  • Dedicated sets of muscles and cartilage power each individual ray, giving every single segment full 360-degree rotational freedom.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Picnic tables lined the water, filled with groups enjoying the early fall afternoon and last rays of September sun.
    — ElleAnna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ray
Verb
  • While moving, the cord returns to its original shape, ready to power its next leap so long as the infrared light is still shining.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Thankfully, my worries turned out to be unfounded, because the talent show in this episode turns out to be her time to shine.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of shine
Verb
  • In photos obtained by the Daily Mail, the singer could be seen smiling in the back seat of an SUV while her soccer player boyfriend of two years grinned from the front seat.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026
  • And then Chambliss drew the Tigers offsides not once but twice, the quarterback grinning a Cheshire grin after the second, as if LSU had fallen into his trap.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of grin
Verb
  • Acupressure targets specific points, including spots roughly a finger’s length below your pupils and beside your nose, which NuFace says can promote a glowing complexion by improving circulation.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Frøya takes a botanical route to glow and tone instead, leaning on sea buckthorn and rosehip instead.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The school janitor emerged from a gap in the trees, smiling cheerfully.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of smile
Verb
  • Clark was even seen laughing after Reese missed the game-winning layup.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Both Ruto, behind the wheel, and Chivayo are seen laughing, with Chivayo's wife grinning from the back seat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of laugh

Browse Nearby Words

be-all and end-alls
beam
beamed
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Cite this Entry

“Beam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beam. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beam

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beam

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