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
If life got in the way of your game design ambitions, generative AI firm Runway’s upcoming tool could be a ray of light. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 29 June 2025 Golf has long been the go-to playground for big names, where often legends like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Donald Trump, and Steph Curry trade stadium lights for fairways and friendly banter. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
And aside from knowing nothing about being an astronaut or going to space, the mission will also take him 11.9 light years away from home. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025 Furthermore, the researchers say that there was no significant damage to healthy mucus or nasal cells, even after 20 minutes of light activation. New Atlas, 30 June 2025
Verb
The types of fireworks within our budget are: Sparklers: A handheld firework that showers sparks when lit. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025 The streets were clean, well lit, and—traffic aside—surprisingly orderly. Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • Giambattista Valli—fresh off receiving the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government—basked in the glow of both the honor and an exceptional runway show.
    Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 July 2025
  • Set in San Francisco in the early 1990s, this coming-of-age novel shines with a heady, nostalgic glow while never ignoring reality.
    Connie Ogle, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Though the area is already filled with natural light, Gaines made sure to include plenty of ambient lighting like candles, lamps, and a tiered accent chandelier.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
  • Once the bulbs are charged, they can be used in a lamp by plugging the socket into a little device that comes with the bulb.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Previous Lumiere honorees include some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, and Tim Burton, alongside European stars, such as Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Deneuve.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • In the second match of the semifinals, Sinner will face No. 6 Novak Djokovic, in a contest between one of tennis’ newer stars with a likely dominant career ahead, and one who is among the greatest ever to play but is now age 38.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The northern lights are best viewed in the hours after sunset and before sunrise, specifically within an hour or two of midnight (between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time), according to NOAA.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Kansas City had a high of 37 degrees and a low of 29 degrees with trace amounts of rain and snow on January 7, and temperatures dropped to right around freezing just before sunrise the next morning.
    Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The cosmic duo will be visible for around two and a half hours before the glare of the rising sun hides the Pleiades from view.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 July 2025
  • With a full understanding about both the financial stakes and the glare of a national spotlight, Tucker has avoided the distractions that could have derailed his performance.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The funding comes through the Airport Improvement Program, which earmarks funds for airport infrastructure projects, like runways, taxiways, noise mitigation, airport signage and airport lighting.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot that reflects your personality—and make sure to smile.
    Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The impact on daily life Being able to communicate in real-time, with one's own voice and personality, is a game-changer for people living with paralysis.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • If someone is spending most of their day context switching, jumping between meetings, tasks, or departments, that creates a signal.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Its stretchy fabric is not see-through and can be tossed into the washing machine on laundry day.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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