1
as in illuminated
filled with much light
we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burning
chiefly British
being on fire
the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air
a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alight
Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Social media has been alight throughout the season with accusations that the NFL’s officials are helping the Chiefs with big calls in critical moments.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
In the spring of last year, eighteen professors met to discuss university governance and alighted on the idea of creating a faculty senate—something that Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and many other schools already have.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Adjective
The stadium is alight with the group’s signature pink lightstick.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Social media has been alight throughout the season with accusations that the NFL’s officials are helping the Chiefs with big calls in critical moments.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
The male godwits are the first to appear, alighting in the boggy tundra fen.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
In the spring of last year, eighteen professors met to discuss university governance and alighted on the idea of creating a faculty senate—something that Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, and many other schools already have.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
Adjective
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As in most burning issues, there is no absolutely right or wrong answer.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Keep scrolling for more can’t-miss deals and the answers to your most burning questions about Way Day.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The property has a private feel, featuring just 28 standalone villas, similar to the over-water Maldives bungalows, but these are perched in the jungle.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
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At Somni, amid the parade of courses, there’s beautiful plating and masterful technique: In one dish, a healthy quenelle of caviar is perched upon an impossibly light dashi meringue shaped like a fish.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Hours earlier, another Pride celebration at Washing Square Park descended into chaos after a false report of gunfire and an individual deploying bear spray into a crowd sparked a stampede of people running for their lives.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
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Skiers may descend La Videmanette (part of the greater Gstaad ski area) in the winter, but the mountain turns into a climber’s haven in the warmer months.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Somewhat surprisingly, flaming saganaki is now also catching on in Greece, especially in tourist-heavy restaurants, such as the Athens Yacht Club.—
David Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2025
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Among the disturbing scenes from the recent Los Angeles protests, which erupted over federal immigration raids, are those in which protestors stood around the flaming Waymos.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Hit Me Hard and Soft rises more than 20 spaces on both the Official Physical Albums and Official Albums Sales charts, landing, coincidentally, at No. 40 on both at the same time.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Another blow could land on July 9, the deadline President Donald Trump has imposed on other countries to secure trade deals with the U.S. to avoid higher tariffs.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Dragoons followed in leather breeches and woolen gaiters, dismounted for the moment but hopeful of finding American horses ahead.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
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Fixed an issue where players attempting to save and load during the 'Get on your mount' objective caused Rin to spawn dismounted and follow Yasuke on foot, blocking progression.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This set off blazing alarm bells for the entire U.S. cattle and beef industry.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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The explosion sent the building's blazing roof into the sky and prompted temporary evacuations nearby because of gas leak concerns.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Roley, who was found dead near the scene after appearing to have shot himself, is suspected of lighting the brush with a flint fire starter before ambushing the firefighting crew in a mountainous area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 July 2025
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June 2025 Queen of Wands: June lights a fire under your already bright and powerful presence, Taurus.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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