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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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
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Even Wilder was completely engaged, spotting colorful beadwork and laughing as Alvin played.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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Coyotes are a familiar presence in the foothills around Pasadena, Altadena and Burbank, where residents have grown accustomed to spotting the animals in streets and on doorstep cameras.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The staff was excellent, noticing my preference for decaf coffee in the afternoon or asking questions about my daily activities based on previous conversations.—
Leandra Beabout,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
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Connell, who was born in Oklahoma City in 1974 and has lived in Chicago since 2007, became fascinated with Wilson after noticing similarities between a famous Weston nude and one that Connell had taken of her own wife, Betsy Odom, three-quarters of a century later.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors confirmed seeing local police and FBI agents at the home in the suburban community of Southwest Ranches.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Relative humidity will remain in the 30% to 40% range on Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday seeing a return to normal dry season humidity of around 60%.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The selection of the executive director comes at a time when the union is gearing up for negotiations with NFL owners regarding a new CBA.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Some counties have noticed the major increase through their mosquito traps or from calls for service regarding the flying pests.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sighting. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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