lighting 1 of 3

noun

Definition of lightingnext
as in candle

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lighting

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of light
1
as in burning
to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illumining
to supply with light the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon

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lighting

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of light
1
as in perching
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 descending
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

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 lighting
Noun
Forget just the lighting — the stunt work and safety issues would be massive. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026 Stadium lighting is old and may be problematic for potential night broadcasts. — James Raia, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Verb
Howell considers lighting one of the most important and underutilized layers. — Oset Babür-Winter, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026 An accidental fire means it wasn't caused by a person intentionally lighting or spreading a fire. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lighting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lighting
  1. candle
  2. burning
  3. illuminating
  4. perching
  5. descending
  6. lantern
  7. scorching
  8. lightening
Noun
  • Later, the hotel turns this scent into a candle and includes a card with the ingredients and the date it was made.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • Its generous 12-inch length offers plenty of room for bathroom accessories, from rolled up washcloths to your favorite antique candle holder.
    — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026
Definition of candle
Verb
  • Instead of burning capital on traditional endorsement checks, KANE built its network organically across NBA rosters, 26 NFL franchises, and more than 60 college athletic programs, from Nebraska to Stanford to the University of Miami Hurricanes.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • All that fire in the air asks us to fan our own flames without burning it all down.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of burning
Verb
  • All rights reserved Skywatchers across northern Europe are once again reporting spectacular noctilucent cloud displays, with brilliant electric-blue formations illuminating the late-night sky as one of the season's celestial highlights.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • In an Atlantic essay, Wight recalled finding a mechanic reading Thucydides on the grimy floor of his shop, a bare bulb illuminating his page.
    — Elias Wachtel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of illuminating
Verb
  • Sandy was spotted later in the day perching on top of a sugar pine tree.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
  • Even a swooping hawk couldn’t resist perching on a tree overlooking the makeshift stage.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of perching
Verb
  • The sight of the American president descending the long stairs from Air Force One, smiling and waving along the way, became a symbol of American diplomacy.
    — Peter Kastor, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • From the ground, the smooth, rotating ride looked interesting — suspended in twelve pairs of seats, passengers spin at a slight angle for about a minute before descending back to the surface.
    — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of descending
Noun
  • Water Lantern Festival Enjoy music, food and activities at the Water Lantern Festival, and then personalize your lantern with a message or intention and connect with people around you.
    — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 28 July 2026
  • The moon hangs over Kizingoni Beach, like a lantern above the Indian Ocean.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of lantern
Verb
  • Whipped by strong winds amid 100-plus degree temperatures, that spark grew into California’s fourth-largest wildfire on record, ultimately scorching some 429,000 acres and destroying 427 homes.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
  • Keep the flames below the bottom edge of the pot to prevent scorching.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
Definition of scorching
Verb
  • Instead, opt for neutral coats of paint, warm lightening schemes, and functional storage.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026
  • The minimization regimen is also effective at lightening the price tag, cutting an even $11K off the base price as compared to the Bambi 16RB.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2026
Definition of lightening

Phrases Containing lighting

Browse Nearby Words

lighthouses
lighting
lighting into
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Cite this Entry

“Lighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lighting. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lighting

Nglish: Translation of lighting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lighting

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