alighted

variants also alit
past tense of alight
1
as in perched
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 dismounted
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 alighted BookTok’s preferences may skew toward familiar beats and blunt-force sensation, but in Harpman the hive mind has alighted on something more capacious and slippery. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 According to the latest available rail passenger statistics, a grand total of 76 people have alighted or boarded at Shippea Hill in the previous 12 months. Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026 Most alighted in specially erected tent tunnels and, to the disappointment of the crowds of Swifties waiting in the 40°C heat, there were no sightings of the happy couple. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 11 July 2026 Its blockbuster Art Deco-at-100 show wrapped its run last month and attracted more than 500,000 visitors, while its Iris Van Herpen retrospective recently alighted at the Brooklyn Museum, further elaborating on centuries of Franco-American friendship and cultural exchange. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 Four alighted on a paper towel dispenser. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 In Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait from 1940, two gossamer lepidoptera have alighted on her head. Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2025 The Super Beetle, called the 1301, alighted in 1971 with a 60 hp, 1,585 cc engine. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025 In the wake of such revelations, Jones needed to free his Temple from the threat of government interference and alighted upon Guyana as a new home. Sarah Rex, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alighted
Verb
  • And when the sun starts its nightly descent, grab an aperitivo at Terrazza Campari, perched just above the resort’s pristine sandy cove and crystal-blue waters.
    Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Emirates’ massive suite, which is perched over the center of Ashe, is being remodeled this year to emulate the spacious lounges and curved bar on its double-decker Airbus 380 planes.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
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
  • Meanwhile, the owner of the carriage involved in the fatal crash suspended the driver indefinitely and plans to retire the horse, according to union officials, who said the driver improperly dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers.
    Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.
    Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Florida State was coming off a 13-1 season and landed DJ Uiagalelei out of the transfer portal at quarterback.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Not long afterward, two dozen Border Patrol agents descended on Roosevelt High School as class was getting out, prompting a confrontation in which the agents deployed pepper spray and arrested four people, including a teacher.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This year, more than 4,200 shows descended on Edinburgh, with artists hailing from 74 countries.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The switch was revealed when a Secret Service agent resembling Clinton stepped out of Air Force One upon touching down in Pakistan, while Clinton disembarked from the second aircraft.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The river boat passenger had become sick and disembarked nearly three weeks ago in Pimu, in the province of Mongala, more than 1,000 kilometers from Kinshasa along the Congo River, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said on Thursday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Alighted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alighted. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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