alight 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alightnext
1
as in illuminated
filled with much light we approached the clearing, alight with torches, and observed a reenactment of ancient rites by Druids

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2
as in burning
chiefly British being on fire the pub, one of London's oldest, was completely alight by the time firefighters arrived

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alight

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt How to pronounce alight (audio)
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

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2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle) as she alighted from the train, she momentarily lost her footing

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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 alight
Adjective
Multiple people, including children, died when a gunman opened fire at a Billings, Montana, home that was then set alight, authorities said Monday. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 Moe then reportedly set the firework alight while the child was holding on to it and the device erupted in her hand, per the outlet, citing a complaint. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The book always came to mind when taking a walk out in the forest and seeing the hypnotic curl of a fern or a bird alighting on a branch inches away from me. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Over the past few months, Ukraine has put Russia on the back foot with strikes that have hit Russia’s oil refining capacity, caused long lines at fuel stations and set commercial logistics centers alight. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alight
  1. illuminated
  2. burning
  3. perch
  4. descend
  5. illumined
  6. blazing
  7. land
  8. dismount
Adjective
  • Some beauty tools signal their operation through illuminated controls, screens or vibration.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • It is displayed on a large-scale illuminated sign during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4, 2026.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of illuminated
Adjective
  • Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Definition of burning
Verb
  • The rooms Every single one of the 75 rooms is ocean-facing, with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors framing the view, and leading to private terraces perched above the mangroves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The country music icon and her husband, Carl Dean, acquired the third-acre spread perched just above the Sunset Strip in December 1985 for $750,000.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • As the town and its residents descend into chaos after a massive iceberg emerges from the water, Calvin realizes it might all be connected to his father’s accident.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • The backdrop is brightly illumined screens that hurt your eyes.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of illumined
Adjective
  • Anrabess Sleeveless Maxi Sundress, $44 During summer’s blazing-hot weather, wearing cotton pieces like this Chartou Shift Dress and Chouyatou Striped style is a must for keeping cool.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • Allergens, hot temps and blazing rays can make eyes extra scratchy and dry.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026
Definition of blazing
Verb
  • Japan's military said the missile landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Brian Oswald, a 69-year-old retired forestry professor from Nacogdoches, Texas, came straight to Oktoberfest after landing on an overnight flight from the United States.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of land
Verb
  • Buck has long since dismounted from his high horse, but people who live in glass houses that are also occupied by Mike Darnell should probably be a bit more judicious when hucking rocks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Governing bodies in neighboring San Ramon, San Anselmo in Marin County, and Burlingame in San Mateo County have adopted similar policies requiring people to dismount e-bikes when traveling through public parks.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismount

Browse Nearby Words

aliens
alight
alighted
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Cite this Entry

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alight. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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