as in permissions
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in permits
to give permission for or to approve of
as soon as the project is green-lighted, we'll schedule a planning meeting
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 green lights
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Some educators use images of red traffic lights (no AI) and green lights (yes AI) at the top of worksheets.
—Liz Shulman, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Naturally, there are certain days of the year that stand out as green lights, but aside from the notable transits ahead, read on for the luckiest days of the year in 2026.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The operators likely see green lights and stable voltage readings on their screens even as transformers are overloading and breakers are tripping in the physical world.
—Saman Zonouz, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The operators likely see green lights and stable voltage readings on their screens even as transformers are overloading and breakers are tripping in the physical world.
—Saman Zonouz, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Some reports include phone-camera footage capturing green lights traveling beneath the ocean surface, leaving viewers questioning whether these are natural anomalies, secret military experiments, or something else entirely.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
This article was updated with the correct afternoon window on weekedays for the Metro Express buses to receive automatic green lights.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The crowd takes it all in wearing headphones with green lights, turning the night into a kind of silent disco in a scene straight out of Mad Max.
—David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
Some businesses get folks to shine green lights at them to move them.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Some educators use images of red traffic lights (no AI) and green lights (yes AI) at the top of worksheets.
—Liz Shulman, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Naturally, there are certain days of the year that stand out as green lights, but aside from the notable transits ahead, read on for the luckiest days of the year in 2026.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The operators likely see green lights and stable voltage readings on their screens even as transformers are overloading and breakers are tripping in the physical world.
—Saman Zonouz, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The operators likely see green lights and stable voltage readings on their screens even as transformers are overloading and breakers are tripping in the physical world.
—Saman Zonouz, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Some reports include phone-camera footage capturing green lights traveling beneath the ocean surface, leaving viewers questioning whether these are natural anomalies, secret military experiments, or something else entirely.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
This article was updated with the correct afternoon window on weekedays for the Metro Express buses to receive automatic green lights.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The crowd takes it all in wearing headphones with green lights, turning the night into a kind of silent disco in a scene straight out of Mad Max.
—David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for green lights
Noun
-
To use Google Meet on Apple CarPlay, download the latest version of the app from the App Store and grant the app the necessary permissions.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Once the access is given, OpenClaw is designed to act precisely as the user would, with the same broad permissions and capabilities.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Residency permits, even for those with long-term Golden Visas, are reportedly being revoked without notice.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
That policy was rescinded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons last year, although the agency still permits its personnel to take military service into consideration.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response, almost all insurers rationed the drug’s distribution via prior authorizations and coverage denials (a problem that persists today).—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Insurance plans often have cost-sharing requirements and red tape such as prior authorizations that can delay or deny coverage.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The new law allows Britain to extend the reach of its criminal jurisdiction to crack down on migrants making the dangerous crossing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to funds from Missouri’s incentives package, Kansas City’s plan also allows City Manager Mario Vasquez to apply for up to $50 million in state tax credits from the Missouri Development Finance Board.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.—
Time,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Before allowing the use of advertising pixels, cookies or other tracking tools, businesses should investigate what those technologies collect, how that data will be used and what disclosures or consents are required.—
Jodi Daniels,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone who has information about or video of the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Haapala with the Redford Township Police Department at 313-387-2581 or email him.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Organized by the curatorial fellow Yifu Liu, the show has trimmings in just about every frame.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two men spoke with disdain for Europe, and Szijjártó agreed to help in removing an Uzbek-Russian oligarch’s sister from a European sanctions list.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Even if the war is over, the country's already ailing economy now faces dire trouble — though sanctions relief and compensation are also in Iran's 10-point plan.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Green lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/green%20lights. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
