light 1 of 5

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as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance with the coming of light we could see all the damage that the storm had caused

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

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adjective (1)

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light

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adjective (2)

light

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verb (1)

light

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verb (2)

1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle) he hurriedly lighted from the bus and started walking up the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective light contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of light are easy, effortless, facile, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is easy a more appropriate choice than light?

In some situations, the words easy and light are roughly equivalent. However, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of light?

The words effortless and light can be used in similar contexts, but effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another, in the sense of light?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When could simple be used to replace light?

The synonyms simple and light are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to light?

Although the words smooth and light have much in common, smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

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 light
Noun
Thankfully, a minute later, the emergency generator kicks in, and the lights flicker back to life. Sophia Li, NPR, 17 Aug. 2025 The band then charged off the stage to a round of applause as the lights went down and the movie began. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The black walnut ice cream was creamy with the perfect amount of nuts and a distinctly earthy, bittersweet flavor, while the chocolatey peanut butter cup ice cream had light pieces of peanut butter in every bite. Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Winnie Harlow cools off in a light brown triangle bikini while on holiday in Formentera, Spain on July 30. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
Stage 2 prohibits any open flames not fueled by liquid or gas or activities that could generate sparks, including driving on vegetation, outdoor smoking and lighting fireworks of any type. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025 But here’s your tactical playbook, lit with back-alley wisdom and neon gospel. Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • For an entire week, the flashing blue and red lights of police vehicles cast eerie glows inside residents’ homes, while helicopters and drones hummed relentlessly overhead.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
  • The typical galaxy in that sample is 100 times fainter than the natural glow in the nighttime air in the Earth's atmosphere, so this Rubin Observatory program depends on near-total natural darkness.
    Richard Green, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As far as styling your lamps and lights, Burke said two strong trends are coming through in 2022.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2025
  • That may be plenty for a lamp but not for appliances that draw large amounts of power quickly or over long periods.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Magazines invented and distributed the photo shoot, created literary stars like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Malcolm Gladwell and David Foster Wallace.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Álex Baena, the star signing and La Liga’s highest provider of assists last season, and Marc Pubill were both part of Spain’s under 23 side that won Olympic gold last summer alongside Pablo Barrios.
    Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The best time to see Mercury during its greatest elongation is about 30 minutes before sunrise, according to EarthSky.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • During the weeks in Ohio, Vrabel routinely drove to the facility and worked out with the training staff, often before sunrise.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The glare of media scrutiny is on Milan’s Christian Pulisic after his decision to rule himself out of selection for the USMNT at the Gold Cup.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Since launching her career a decade ago, the youngest Cyrus sibling has been carving her own path while facing addiction and mental health struggles in the glare of a spotlight focused on her famous family.
    Jeff Nelson, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
  • McCarty is also in the process of getting LED lighting installed.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The movie features pervasive positivity, one really cool canine, a bright comic book aesthetic and a fresh superhero landscape filled with colorful personalities.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • With a career spanning over a decade, Chiquis is a three-time Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, TV personality and entrepreneur.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • After two days back at work, Wilmoth noticed his eyes and throat were burning.
    Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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