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
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
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
Noun
There are green lights, front and back, which really work to illuminate dust.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for green lights
Noun
-
That context is then used to power AI agents capable of acting on behalf of employees, completing multi-step tasks while understanding company structure, permissions, and workflows across tools like Slack, Salesforce, and Google Workspace.—
Michelle Castillo,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
The administration's approach to DACA showcases another way that officials are stripping away legal permissions to be in the country through temporary policies.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
-
Current law permits officers who receive waivers to continue working until age 60, despite the standard mandatory retirement age of 57 or after 20 years of service, whichever comes later.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Insurance companies counter that authorizations are a vital tool to prevent unnecessary tests and medical care that inflate medical bills for families.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
The new restrictions do not affect trade and financial transactions authorized by embargo exceptions or government authorizations, called licenses, according to the executive order.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The roomy toe box here allows professional and recreational ballers alike to move their toes naturally, preventing distractions like squishing or squeezing.—
Amina Ayoud,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
-
The Lego form allows other versions of these characters to be brought together and for their unifying personality and traits to come out.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
This means cost-sharing for stormwater improvements will continue to be structured by the 83/17 split for decades to come – unless GLWA consents to renegotiating the deal.—
Nicole Van Lier,
The Conversation,
13 May 2026
-
Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.—
Time,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Studies have suggested that the pill results in more pronounced weight loss than Foundayo and has certain cardiovascular benefits, but so far, no clinical trial has directly compared the two drugs.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
The year-round surf breaks—including the fast-barreling tubes of Cloud 9, some 30 minutes from the resort—draw most visitors to the island, and Nay Palad’s team has a Rolodex of pro surf instructors on call to show guests the best waves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The filing was a precursor to what will surely be a defense request for sanctions, which could range from financial reimbursement for their clients’ legal fees and potentially against the individual prosecutors in the case.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
-
In the House, a Democratic plan for sweeping Russia sanctions and $1 billion in Ukraine aid is unlikely to pass but is energizing bipartisan efforts to preserve symbolic $400-million assistance.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Green lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/green%20lights. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
