Synonyms of light
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as in glow 
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as in lamp
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as in star
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as in sunrise
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as in lightweight
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as in smooth
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as in sparse
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as in graceful
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as in gentle
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as in fluffy
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as in illuminated
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as in pale
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as in pallid
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as in to burn
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as in to illumine
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as in to perch
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as in to descend
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1
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
he read poetry to her by the light of the moon
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2
as in lamp
something that provides illumination
turn off the light when you go to bed
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3
as in star
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a leading light in the acting profession
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4
as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance
with the coming of light we could see all the damage that the storm had caused
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1
as in lightweight
having little weight
It was no problem carrying the suitcase up the stairs since it was light.
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2
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort
a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room
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3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
traffic on the highway seems to be very light today
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4
as in graceful
moving easily
the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet
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5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
light punishment to fit a minor offense
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6
as in fluffy
resembling air in lightness
the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze
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1
as in illuminated
filled with much light
the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful
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2
as in pale
lacking intensity of color
we painted the walls a light blue
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1
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs
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2
as in to illumine
to supply with light
the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon
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1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air
the bird lit on the branch and began to sing
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2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle)
he hurriedly lighted from the bus and started walking up the street
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of light
New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Check the candy under bright lights.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Getting regular exercise—Chambers said even light exercise helps.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2025
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The toilet was a narrow room, not much larger than a storage closet, lit by a sliver of light from a high tiny window.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light
Noun
Putting it all together My e-tourer arrived mostly assembled – though the handlebar, pedals, saddle, front light, display and quick-release front wheel needed installing, along with the front fender, plus some tightening up here and there had to be done.
—New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
Check the candy under bright lights.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Similar chatter has emerged during past election years since the dawn of the 22nd Amendment, but usually in a more light-hearted nature.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Getting regular exercise—Chambers said even light exercise helps.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
George looked at him, then lit another cigarette.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The toilet was a narrow room, not much larger than a storage closet, lit by a sliver of light from a high tiny window.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
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When proteins are modified, the glow provides a visual signal, letting researchers monitor biological activity without breaking open cells or adding disruptive chemicals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Essentially the second tone knob engages an onboard distortion circuit, and when it's activated, a rendering of Godzilla on the pickguard glows and pulsates, the brightness varying depending on the gain levels.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Southern live oaks draped in Spanish moss that tower and twist over city squares, Neoclassical Antebellum architecture, gas lamps that flicker over uneven cobblestone paths, and a humid subtropical climate that hangs heavy in the air.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
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The lamps flicker on, casting pools of warm light on the pavement.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As for whether the Galaxy Quest star would ever reprise her role as the iconic heroine Ripley?—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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So far this season, the 22-year-old star has caught 19 passes for 225 yards in four games.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The challenge must begin at sunrise and be completed before sunset.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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The City of London financial district at sunrise.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Schottenheimer downplayed the impact, but said the staff has been preparing for the potential glare.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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As the panels collect power to generate electricity, the sunshield will shadow the scientific equipment prone to overheating in the sun's glare.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Admirers can switch between nine lighting modes, including warm white and multicolor hues, as well as flickering and flashing light shows.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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The lighting design with hues of pinks, blues, and violet, are impeccable by David Lander, making sure the changes are sharp but not intrusive to the character’s world.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For him, this means refusing to court TikTok personalities, to pander to trends, or to tie his star to a viral moment or an It bag.—
Rob Haskell,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
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Remoteness draws the witness — or victim — forward and into the circle of the predator’s personality.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The game marked the NBA’s formal return to NBC, ending a hiatus of 8,532 days since the last time an American pro basketball game that counts was broadcast on the network.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
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So to be there, back in my home state, to cover something that was just so unthinkable, reprehensible, that's always stayed with me, just talking to people in the days and hours after that tragedy.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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