1
as in shines
to emit rays of light
a lighthouse has beamed from this site since the 1790s
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 beams
ABC News, 12 June 2026
The interior measures 420 sq ft (39 sq m) and is finished in shiplap and drywall, with a tongue-and-groove feature wall and exposed timber beams, which are a nice touch.
—New Atlas, 10 June 2026
John Lithgow beams with pride after winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Giant during the 79th annual Tony Awards on June 7 in New York City.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Nearly every inch of the coaster track is visible from the queue that winds underneath the steel support beams and along the edge of the hillside stretching between the Upper and Lower Lots.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
The apartment has exposed brick walls, 10-foot ceiling beams of old-growth pine, oak floors, oversize windows, a fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen with Thermidor appliances and thick stone counters.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Researchers also confirmed the antenna could split beams between multiple users with minimal signal degradation.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026
This Boston kitchen is both refined and homey with original wood beams, white slab-style kitchen cabinets, and gray countertops.
—Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
Expect exposed timber beams, original brick and sandstone, Tasmanian artwork, and peeks of original wallpaper.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Einbinder looks lovingly over at her costar, who beams back at her.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Wade beams as his children describe their meal.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Nicholas Hoult beams with his bleached hair and Prada button-up courtside at the Lakers versus Cleveland Cavaliers game in Los Angeles on March 31.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Now there’s Hoppers, the latest blockbuster Pixar film, which follows a girl who beams her brain into a beaver robot in the hope of saving a beloved habitat.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Based on research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the device beams patients with gamma frequency light and sound for an hour a day.
—Mario Aguilar, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
The characters’ spoken language is unfamiliar, but passionate, and the performances are driven by pure intent that beams through their heavy prosthetics.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The same cousin now beams about ChatGPT.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
One was a rotating disc that sent out beams of light.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
The interior measures 420 sq ft (39 sq m) and is finished in shiplap and drywall, with a tongue-and-groove feature wall and exposed timber beams, which are a nice touch.
—New Atlas, 10 June 2026
John Lithgow beams with pride after winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Giant during the 79th annual Tony Awards on June 7 in New York City.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Nearly every inch of the coaster track is visible from the queue that winds underneath the steel support beams and along the edge of the hillside stretching between the Upper and Lower Lots.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
The apartment has exposed brick walls, 10-foot ceiling beams of old-growth pine, oak floors, oversize windows, a fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen with Thermidor appliances and thick stone counters.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Researchers also confirmed the antenna could split beams between multiple users with minimal signal degradation.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026
This Boston kitchen is both refined and homey with original wood beams, white slab-style kitchen cabinets, and gray countertops.
—Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
Expect exposed timber beams, original brick and sandstone, Tasmanian artwork, and peeks of original wallpaper.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Verb
Footage of giant yellow black-eyed Susan flowers beams onto the wall from one projector, intersecting with video of swaying plants from another.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Einbinder looks lovingly over at her costar, who beams back at her.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Wade beams as his children describe their meal.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Nicholas Hoult beams with his bleached hair and Prada button-up courtside at the Lakers versus Cleveland Cavaliers game in Los Angeles on March 31.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Now there’s Hoppers, the latest blockbuster Pixar film, which follows a girl who beams her brain into a beaver robot in the hope of saving a beloved habitat.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Based on research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the device beams patients with gamma frequency light and sound for an hour a day.
—Mario Aguilar, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
The characters’ spoken language is unfamiliar, but passionate, and the performances are driven by pure intent that beams through their heavy prosthetics.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The same cousin now beams about ChatGPT.
—Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beams
Noun
-
Ultraviolet radiation falls on the electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
If little red dots are rapidly accreting supermassive black holes shrouded by dense gas envelopes, this would explain why these mystery objects are so faint in X-rays, as these cocoons should absorb this high-energy radiation.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
In an era when most Europeans regarded indigenous people as lesser beings—even sometimes as beasts—George Forster’s attitude shines out in the darkness of colonial history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 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
Verb
-
Paul Anthony Kelly grins from ear to ear on a sunny day in New York City on May 26.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Attenborough grins, laughs and is speechless with delight.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
His writing glows with his obvious love of plants and animals, not least his faithful dog, Roger.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
-
Because of the black hole's immense gravitational forces, an AGN glows very brightly.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
İmamoğlu appears at the end and smiles silently.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
-
Those smiles on their children will never be seen again by their parents and brother, Panish said.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
My musical theater peers would have been very hard on me [laughs].—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 May 2026
-
Now, the couple mostly laughs about the moment, even though Crawford admits the memory will probably stick with them forever.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beams. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
