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
-
After installation, go into your phone's settings and audit which apps have constant internet access, background activity rights or special device permissions.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Developers are required to obtain certain permissions from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before construction on the project can begin.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 7, allowing the state to adopt permanent daylight saving time if federal law permits.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Policymakers should build on this progress by strengthening transparency and accountability, increasing oversight of step therapy and prior authorizations, and ensuring clinical decisions remain in the exam room.—
Alex Mejia Garcia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But Lyman noted that the NRC has agreed to greatly restrict the scope of additional safety and security reviews for projects that have DOE authorizations.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Kentucky Derby will be run in eight weeks, which allows plenty of time for considerable changes in the field.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 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 watched the last decade of merger mania in Hollywood has good reason to be skeptical.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The 21-year-old has already done the same outside Balmain and Acne Studios that day, and has plans later to stand outside Rick Owens.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Recent moves — including the removal of sanctions on Malian junta officials — suggest Washington is actively rebuilding ties with these military-run nations.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Officials, at times, tried to expand export controls to goods like chip design software, and add sanctions on more Chinese companies.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Green lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/green%20lights. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
