light 1 of 5

1
2
3
4
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)

1
2
3
4
5
6

light

3 of 5

adjective (2)

light

4 of 5

verb (1)

light

5 of 5

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
The furor reverberated nationally after Charlene Villaseñor Black, chair of Blackwell’s Department of Chicana/o and Central American Studies, posted a public message of gratitude to the Indigenous scholars who brought the issue to light. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 Retinal structure and brain activity in response to light was also measured. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
All four corners are wrapped in what's now Genesis' light signature, a pair of thin horizontal stripes with microlens arrays supplying the brightness at the front. Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025 Firefighters should get a break today and Tuesday as forecasts call for more humidity and lighter winds. 4. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
Designers suggest a layered approach to lighting with multiple sources of ambient light. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 Ramadan in Gaza In Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, AP video showed a long table set for the breaking of the day’s Ramadan fast, snaking through the ruins and lit by strings of lights as the sky darkened. David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
Noun
  • The universe is setting you up for a major glow up.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This face cream has a shimmery base to give major glow and is spiked with Korean white ginseng, hyaluronic acid and mandarin extract to brighten from within, plus gently exfoliate and hydrate too.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Its versatile design can be placed in your living room, bedroom, or entryway to organize lamps, books, and catch-all trays.
    Kelsey Fredricks, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The lamp’s large screen and durable construction are ideal for long-term use.
    Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The stars came out to shine for the Trojans as Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins each scored 22 points in the victory.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder star made Manhattan’s financial district his runway, sporting Chanel sunglasses, a massive diamond chain and denim outfit as photographer Richard Ontiveros-Gima snapped pictures.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Part of a Benjamin Moore paint warehouse in Lewisville, Texas, collapsed amid powerful winds just before sunrise, CNN affiliate KTVT reported.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Four planets are expected to be visible right before sunrise in late August 2025, according to NASA.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • To use a poker analogy, Apple has called the UK’s bluff against a glare of negative publicity.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Pasteur struggled to make out the path in the glare of sunlight bouncing off the ice.
    Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond all the usual advice (proper watering, lighting and soil), Hamell says the secret is connecting with your plant.
    Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Brands are already experimenting with these to replace traditional photo shoots, creating hyper-realistic visuals that accurately replicate textures, lighting and dimensions across diverse contexts.
    Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Former Fox News personality and podcaster Dan Bongino was named FBI deputy director a short time later.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The panelists over the years have included a veritable who’s who of sports media personalities, including Jemele Hill, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre and Clinton Yates, among many, many others.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump defends tariffs Trump defended a new round of tariffs and signaled more were coming as stock markets plummeted for the second day in response to the trade war.
    Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
  • And The Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA earned over $5,000 across three shows in a single day (even though it was booked with just 10 days’ notice).
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on light

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!