LIGHT Synonyms: 681 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

light 1 of 5

noun

ˈlīt

Definition of light next

as in glow

the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible he read poetry to her by the light of the moon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lamp

something that provides illumination turn off the light when you go to bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in star

a person who is widely known and usually much talked about a leading light in the acting profession

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2 of 5

adjective (1)

as in lightweight

having little weight the suitcase was as light as a feather after all the clothes were removed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smooth

involving minimal difficulty or effort a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable traffic on the highway seems to be very light today

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in graceful

moving easily the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gentle

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect light punishment to fit a minor offense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fluffy

resembling air in lightness the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

3 of 5

adjective (2)

as in illuminated

filled with much light the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pale

lacking intensity of color we painted the walls a light blue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pallid

of light complexion her light skin tends to freckle easily in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

4 of 5

verb (1)

as in to burn

to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to illumine

to supply with light the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

5 of 5

verb (2)

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

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

Intended as a documentary covering then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s career in light of her campaign for US president, Hillary: The Movie was made available via video-on-demand. —

Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025 Lien is accusing Dominguez of defamation, intrusion into private affairs, public disclosure of private facts and putting her in a false light — a legal term referring to when someone is portrayed publicly in a misleading manner that creates a false impression. —

Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Another option is to buy a few sets of lenses, as most of the higher-end goggle options offer plenty of colors, light transmission levels, and polarization options that can be easily swapped out depending on the day and light conditions. —

Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 24 Jan. 2025 London Entertainment Denim trends in 2025 are a bit all over the place (barrel jeans and skinny jeans and low-rise jeans, oh my!), but Song proves that shredded denim, especially in a classic light wash, will always be a solid foundation. —

Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025

Verb

In 2017, an Arizona couple’s choice of a blue smoke-spewing firework for a baby gender reveal party lit the Sawmill Fire, torching close to 47,000 acres. —

Sachi Mulkey, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025 In commemoration of the event, the Empire State Building will be lit in the Nets’ throwback red, white and blue color scheme Saturday, with No.15 rotating on the spire. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for light

Recent Examples of Synonyms for light

Noun

It's packed with rice powder, a chef's kiss of skin-loving enzymes and vitamins (A, B2, B12, and E) that soften, brighten, and give your skin a plump, healthy glow.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025
When touched, its hood and tail glow with a constellation of blue-green dots like an underwater planetarium.

— Jude Coleman, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025