BEAM Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

beam 1 of 2

noun

ˈbēm

Definition of beam

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

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

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

There was no mistaking the silver-dollar-thick main beams, each stretching close to 30 inches from base to tip. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 If a signal from car A cannot reach car B directly, or if the path length is too far for an individual beam to travel, the signal must find an intermediary car or stationary sensor nearby that can pass along the message. — IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Environmental groups are challenging the FCC’s approval of a startup’s plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 Environmental activists aren’t giving up on trying to shut down a controversial satellite that will use a giant mirror to beam sunlight to the Earth at night. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beam

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beam

Noun

There are some crazy laser rays, goofy wipe transitions, robots who are menaces to society, to be sure.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Essentially, hackers disguise malware as ripped Blu-ray releases or other legitimate video versions of the movie, and once downloaded, users get infected.

— Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of ray

Verb

The sun shone on Lova’s second day in Manchester, so spending the morning outdoors was in the cards.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
After returning to full training last week and shining on his first appearance in the 2-0 victory over Como on Sunday, there was both relief and excitement at Anfield to see him finally in action.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of shine

Verb

But what differentiates them from some of their peers is the unyielding pace of their live shows, all of it delivered with the grinning joy of playing rock ‘n’ roll.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
In one photo, the family of four posed together on the beach with Sybil sporting a playful pout while the rest of the bunch grinned.

— Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of grin

Verb

In 2012, a smiling Jason Arday was photographed by the British press carrying the Olympic flame in the torch relay that preceded the London Games.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
So there sat Pecko on Tuesday afternoon atop a bench inside Dakin Park’s first-base dugout, smiling to hide nerves before the biggest day of his baseball life.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026