Synonyms of light
-
as in glow 
-
as in lamp
-
as in star
-
as in sunrise
-
as in lightweight
-
as in smooth
-
as in sparse
-
as in graceful
-
as in gentle
-
as in fluffy
-
as in illuminated
-
as in pale
-
as in pallid
-
as in to burn
-
as in to illumine
-
as in to perch
-
as in to descend
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lamp
something that provides illumination
turn off the light when you go to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in star
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a leading light in the acting profession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lightweight
having little weight
It was no problem carrying the suitcase up the stairs since it was light.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort
a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
traffic on the highway seems to be very light today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in graceful
moving easily
the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
light punishment to fit a minor offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fluffy
resembling air in lightness
the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light
the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pale
lacking intensity of color
we painted the walls a light blue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
It was left drifting in the Gulf of Mexico without any lights, air conditioning, refrigeration or working toilets for multiple days.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
Here are smart ways to reduce your monthly cost in 2025:
Choose a lower speed tier: Plans under 200 Mbps may be enough for light usage and can cost $10 to $20 less per month.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The Page of Cups shines a spotlight for you, calling you to focus on the aspects of your life that light you up this month.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light
Noun
In light of his jaw-dropping message, countless hypothetical trades for the All-Pro linebacker have started to emerge.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
It was left drifting in the Gulf of Mexico without any lights, air conditioning, refrigeration or working toilets for multiple days.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Apply the lubricant with a light hand, adding more as necessary but careful not to drown your poor hinges.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
Here are smart ways to reduce your monthly cost in 2025:
Choose a lower speed tier: Plans under 200 Mbps may be enough for light usage and can cost $10 to $20 less per month.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
During this phase, the moon will already be high in the sky at sunset, with its right side fully lit and its left hidden under a veil of shadow.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The Page of Cups shines a spotlight for you, calling you to focus on the aspects of your life that light you up this month.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
-
For an entire week, the flashing blue and red lights of police vehicles cast eerie glows inside residents’ homes, while helicopters and drones hummed relentlessly overhead.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 Aug. 2025
-
The typical galaxy in that sample is 100 times fainter than the natural glow in the nighttime air in the Earth's atmosphere, so this Rubin Observatory program depends on near-total natural darkness.—
Richard Green,
Space.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As far as styling your lamps and lights, Burke said two strong trends are coming through in 2022.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
-
That may be plenty for a lamp but not for appliances that draw large amounts of power quickly or over long periods.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And sports stars and Mahatma Gandhi and Florence Nightingale and more than 20,000 other pieces, and with them, a question: What's to become of it all? Krasula, closing on 77, never had kids.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
This philosophy is one that many NFL teams are gravitating toward where star athletes are seeing little to no playing time in the preseason.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The team can tailor meals according to guests’ preferences, from sunrise breakfasts in the garden to intimate candlelit dinners.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
When is the Venus-Jupiter pairing? Venus and Jupiter are making their close approaches to one another and will shine brightly to the east before sunrise throughout August, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Anyone who has watched Pivetta stalk and stomp and gesticulate and glare and snap his glove to catch a throw from the catcher after a bad call and shout after an inning-ending out can easily surmise how much Pivetta’s intensity is part of his game.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Each railcar includes access to open-air vestibules, giving guests a chance to breathe in fresh air and snap postcard-perfect photos without obstruction or glare.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
-
McCarty is also in the process of getting LED lighting installed.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Do all managers lead the same way—or is your culture dependent on personality?—
Leyda Lazo,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Their relationships and personalities come through on-screen.—
Scott Greenstone,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The news comes the same day that a rep for his family told Entertainment Weekly that Blackstock, 48, had died of cancer.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
It's intended to create a haven at home that people can escape to for renewal at the end of a long day.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share