as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
he finally wandered in at 3:00 a.m., obviously lit up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 lit up
The first regional leader to denounce the operation was Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who took to X as the night sky lit up and explosions could be heard over Caracas.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Within minutes of Mamdani entering City Hall, the images of him riding public transit had lit up social media.
—Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2026
The novel lit up BookTok and book clubs this year for the story’s almost too intense emotions.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
From red carpets to concert stages, Black excellence was on full display this week as stars lit up major events from across the country.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lit up
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Within minutes of Mamdani entering City Hall, the images of him riding public transit had lit up social media.
—Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 3 Jan. 2026
The novel lit up BookTok and book clubs this year for the story’s almost too intense emotions.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
From red carpets to concert stages, Black excellence was on full display this week as stars lit up major events from across the country.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lit up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lit up
Adjective
-
Reading Cassandra’s voice is like reading The Bell Jar’s Esther if Esther were drunk on brandy half the time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As thousands of medical caregivers walked off the job Monday in what became the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history, officials at a major hospital accused the nurses’ union of making unreasonable demands — including protections for nurses who come to work drunk or high.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That is one of many problems that Zara and Luke go on to dodge, including dead-ends, dead bodies and a drunken mom.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In 2025, he was twice arrested for drunken driving, with both arrests resulting in a conviction on a charge of first-offense drunken driving.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The pieces toast up crisp, but when served over warm soup, channel the gooeyness promised from the center of a fried slab.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The menu, created by chef Pierre Gagnaire, is a lesson in classic French brasserie cuisine with sophisticated touches—an ideal meal starts with escargots simmering in garlicky butter from Burgundy, continues with pan-fried foie gras, and wraps up with crêpes Suzette flambéd table-side.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Just look at Serena Williams’ wet waves and Kerry Washington’s braids.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Because for all the roiling frustration this production evokes with its wasted potential, there are still those moments of greatness, where the soaring vocals meld with potent lyrics and the entire theater is rapt.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisers still need to actively review and clean search terms to prevent wasted spend and ensure relevance.—
Mykola Lukashuk,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The very young, very old and those with impaired temperature perception or regulation face the highest risks.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Traffic deaths in Colorado increased in 2025, reversing a decline in recent years, with about one in three deaths related to impaired driving, according to state data released Thursday.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The review noted that color-blind casting was a matter of controversy for commentators and some viewers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Those that don’t will continue drowning in data while feeling increasingly blind.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lit up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lit%20up. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
