as in spotting
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
the crew felt a rush of excitement upon hearing that the lookout had sighted land
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 sighting
In addition to the occasional energy vortex, Sedona is said to be a UFO sighting hot spot.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
The equipment allowed the researchers to pinpoint the area emitting the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale's unique call without first sighting the animals, which are among the deepest-diving mammals in the world.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Parks closed, troops deployed for bears In Sapporo City, authorities closed Maruyama Park for two weeks following a bear sighting there.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025
His call to the Coast Guard upon sighting Humphrey resulted in a comical conversation.
—Helen Harlan, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
One of the six runways at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was closed for about 45 minutes early Saturday afternoon after reports of a drone sighting around noon (1000 GMT), military police spokesman Doron Wallin told The Associated Press.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Pasquatch sighting in Cleveland!
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
From locations that are plagued by light pollution, sighting this comet may prove to be rather difficult.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.
—Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
The equipment allowed the researchers to pinpoint the area emitting the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale's unique call without first sighting the animals, which are among the deepest-diving mammals in the world.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Parks closed, troops deployed for bears In Sapporo City, authorities closed Maruyama Park for two weeks following a bear sighting there.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025
His call to the Coast Guard upon sighting Humphrey resulted in a comical conversation.
—Helen Harlan, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
One of the six runways at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was closed for about 45 minutes early Saturday afternoon after reports of a drone sighting around noon (1000 GMT), military police spokesman Doron Wallin told The Associated Press.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Pasquatch sighting in Cleveland!
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
From locations that are plagued by light pollution, sighting this comet may prove to be rather difficult.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.
—Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sighting
Verb
-
In children, spotting AKI early is even harder.—
Jyoti Madhusoodanan,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Seeing even one oarfish near shore is rare, the description noted, and spotting two in the same place is highly unusual.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With Me is led by Juan Naula, who after moving to Los Angeles and noticing trash in public spaces, used social media to get the word out and invite people to clean up their neighborhoods.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The car was eventually transferred to a tow yard, where an employee called police after noticing a foul smell emanating from the vehicle.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The panel’s members unanimously decided to delay voting on the contract until April 1, citing an interest in seeing the full contract first.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The changes that come from not seeing your bundle of joy every day and managing an evolving relationship, as your kids find their own way, can be emotional and overwhelming.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Here's a refresher on the back-and-forth regarding the COVID vaccine, so far.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Money and self-worth align as the sparkling Sun conjoins illusory Neptune in your 2nd House of Values, harmonizing imagination with practicality (especially regarding upcoming purchases or other investments).—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighting. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
