light 1 of 5

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

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adjective (1)

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light

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adjective (2)

light

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verb (1)

light

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verb (2)

1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective light contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of light are easy, effortless, facile, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is easy a more appropriate choice than light?

In some situations, the words easy and light are roughly equivalent. However, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of light?

The words effortless and light can be used in similar contexts, but effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another, in the sense of light?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When could simple be used to replace light?

The synonyms simple and light are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to light?

Although the words smooth and light have much in common, smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

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 light
Noun
When light strikes the interface between two materials with different refractive indices—such as glass and air—some of the light is reflected while the rest is transmitted through the material. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 Sinner gave him almost no chances, but there was a glimmer of light in the 10th game, when Djokovic had four chances to break Sinner’s serve. Jerome Pugmire, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Adjective
Weight Most backpack coolers are relatively light at around two or three pounds, and rightly so. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025 Shy Velvet Spaghetti Strap Maxi Dress This linen dress comes in 17 colors at varying price points, including light beige, lemon yellow, and teal blue. Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
Can someone go find that column, print it out, and light it on fire? Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 Subjected to controversial psychological experiments by Professor Henry Murray (Crowe), Kaczynski’s troubled past resurfaces decades later when his manhunt, led by FBI agent Joanne Miller (Woodley), brings to light the chilling consequences of ambition and isolation. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • This view of the Truman Home at 215 N. Delaware Street in Independence carries the Kodachrome glow of the 1950s.
    Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • But as the glow of last year’s AI hype fades, reality is setting in: Companies that rushed toward shiny new tech without fixing their foundations are now struggling to scale it.
    Kristin Russel, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Or for a more structured look, try a couple of portable LED table lamps, like the Zafferano Poldina Pro Lamp ($175 from Amazon) or the Setago Rechargeable Lamp ($225 from Hawkins New York).
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • Lamplighters didn’t have their health benefits tied to their ability to go light lamps.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • There is not normally an upside to losing a star player through injury for a lengthy period, but Kaoru Mitoma’s absence from the last 16 games of the 2023-24 season had a silver lining for Brighton & Hove Albion.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, Elizabeth took off, Joel started drinking and this marked the beginning of a spiral for the star.
    Daniela Avila, People.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Deer typically are most active and browsing at dusk and right before sunrise, says Mengak.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • To increase your chances of spotting the northern lights, point your eyes to the sky in the hours after sunset and just before sunrise (specifically, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time).
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The Indy native has seen the city thrive under the glare of two NBA All-Star Games, the CFP national championship game, and dozens of other national and international championships.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • It is formulated with LED lights with glare control and low optical flicker for eye care.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
  • This is done by using real-time data and user preferences to coordinate individual AI agents like the smart thermostat, the lighting or even appliances.
    Pradeep Kumar Muthukamatchi, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Rarely did anyone bring to television Julia’s big, warm personality and joie de vivre, which blazed through our little black-and-white screens (before later transitioning, of course, to color).
    Ina Garten, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • The way Chomet operates, the film’s personality comes across via the detailed and incredibly expressive faces, not the dialogue or its delivery.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • The mural is located in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles, about 20 miles from Paramount, where the riots have taken place for several days.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
  • In February, the new Trump administration rescinded an OCR fact sheet issued by the Department of Education in the waning days of Joe Biden’s presidency.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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