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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sighting
Organizers with the Vans Jack’s Surfboard Pro said the beach was closed for a mile in each direction following the shark sighting late afternoon on Thursday, April 23.
—
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Even slight pollution or habitat changes can threaten them — a detail that makes every confirmed sighting significant for conservation science.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Even slight pollution or habitat changes can threaten them — a detail that makes every confirmed sighting significant for conservation science.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sighting
Verb
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De Zerbi charged on to the pitch, arms-wide in celebration, before spotting the Spanish right-back and giving him a hug, along with Cristian Romero and Randal Kolo Muani.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Russian MoD via Telegram A video on social media shows a Russian interceptor closing in on a white stork – until the bird executes a sharp roll maneuver, leaving the drone chasing empty space (h/t to Andrew Perpetua for spotting this one).—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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According to the Irvine Police Department, Chen installed cameras in their family's home after noticing a change of flavor in his drink and feeling ill for weeks.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
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After applying to more than 3,000 jobs and internships over his time in school, the 23-year-old began noticing employers were no longer asking only for traditional computer science skills.—
Lisa Chambers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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After seeing his team squander chance after chance, Etowah’s Matthew Sharman wasn’t going to waste any opportunity to score.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
28 May 2026
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Michigan Humane took on a tricky animal rescue task after motorists reported seeing a cat along the Lodge Freeway in Metro Detroit.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The incumbent then went on the attack against Moulton for his 2024 comments regarding trans athletes participating in girls’ youth and collegiate sports.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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That legislation included more stringent rules to qualify for SNAP, particularly regarding work requirements.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighting. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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