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
Prior to the short film’s origins, at the top of 2025, Santana traded the bright lights of Los Angeles for the plains of Wyoming, where there was nothing to do but make music. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 June 2025 In a town like NYC, one had better master the art of performing well under the bright lights. Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adjective
The researchers analyzed satellite data on the open ocean collected from 2003 to 2022 by a NASA instrument that combs through the planet every two days to measure light wavelength, according to the paper. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 June 2025 Coffee offers whole beans, grounds, and pods in light, medium, or dark roasts. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
Verb
The dark skies of eternity were lit with small fires. Joy Harjo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 The accommodations are spread out between three-plus-bedroom estate homes, two and three-bedroom cottages, and one-bedroom suites located above the spa and the game room—all outfitted with Wi-Fi, s’mores kits (a fire pit is lit every evening), and extra-soft sheets and bath linens. Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • As the moon and stars light the night, the fabric and tiny mirrors will provide a magical glow to the ralli design. SR: Does ralli-making have a cultural connotation other than its usage as a quilt? PS: There are deep cultural meanings to ralli-making.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • Essie Penny Talk $10 at Amazon $13 $10 at Walmart $10 at Ulta There's a metallic for every season, and summertime calls for a rose gold shade that mimics a sunset glow.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Start with Accessories Use interchangeable pieces like colorful placemats, candleholders and candlesticks, salt and pepper mills, and even those trendy and oh-so-cute rechargeable lamps as your base.
    Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025
  • From about $1,024 Lighting: Chia-Ying Lee for Lodes Random Stick Imagined by Taiwanese designer Chia-Ying Lee for Lodes, the Random Stick is an elegant interpretation of the humble suspension lamp.
    Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • The atmosphere spoke volumes, about the growing appetite for the game, the hunger of emerging stars, and the potential for the BAL to not only grow within the continent but also to become a destination of choice for talent around the world.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Jake Entrekin remembers himself as an eighth-grader: 5-foot-2, a little doughy and slow of foot — not exactly built like a future baseball star.
    Noah Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The three most beautiful naked-eye sights to be had in the night sky will create a stunning panorama just before sunrise.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The Wales Women’s manager just woke up and left with the sunrise, bound for the top of the country’s highest peak, Yr Wyddfa.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Gravina’s praise for his temperament amid the media glare also left one with the impression that the FIGC president can’t be on social media, where the reels of Gattuso’s press conference shenanigans have guaranteed virality.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • There are protectors that serve many different purposes, such as protecting your TV screen from cracks, reducing glare on your screen and protecting your TV from the elements. TV surface protection Most people who are buying a TV screen protector are looking for surface protection.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Most of his meetings with the press involve cameras and lighting equipment.
    Natalie Meade, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
  • The private pilot’s license does qualify Bedford to fly several types of planes in various weather and lighting conditions, Politico noted.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Advertisement Rutte, 58, brings an idiosyncratic mix of experience and personality to the job of saving the alliance.
    Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
  • That has included writers like Matt Yglesias, TV personalities, like Terry Moran and Katie Couric, and authors like James Patterson, with many prioritizing video.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Don't store them on your counter longer than one or two days.
    Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
  • As a condition of the driver alcohol education program, Read’s driver’s license will also be suspended for up to 90 days, according to Massachusetts law.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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