lighting 1 of 3

noun

Definition of lightingnext
as in candle

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lighting

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of light
1
as in burning
to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illumining
to supply with light the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon

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lighting

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of light
1
as in perching
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

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

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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 lighting
Noun
The class also requires students to design, analyze and render complex 2D and 3D graphics, modeling, texturing, lighting and animation across multiple styles of video games. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The dining space at Lady Funari Inside, expect to find an intimate space filled with wood and marble finishes, and moody lighting. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
The author and activist Arundhati Roy has been lighting my grey afternoons. — Sharmistha Jha, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026 Another young quarterback lighting things up is Gavin Pritzkau (6-2, 180) of Central Florida Christian Academy. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lighting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lighting
  1. candle
  2. burning
  3. illuminating
  4. perching
  5. descending
  6. lantern
  7. scorching
  8. lightening
Noun
  • Many from the Liberty and William Jewell communities, including Barnett’s high school coaches, lit a candle in his name.
    — PJ Green August 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This pretty fixture works hard as a table lamp, candle warmer, and decor piece, offering a smoke-free way to add ambient light and fragrance to your space without the fire hazard.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of candle
Verb
  • The Ross Fire burning west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County appears to be holding steady at around 85,000 acres and 26% containment Friday, according to Texas A&M Forest Service officials.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Planet-heating emissions from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are the primary driver of climate change.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of burning
Verb
  • Typically, these accent lights would be accompanied with separate projectors that actually do the job of illuminating when driving at night.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026
  • If nothing else, The Steppe and Its Empires is illuminating as a catalog of comparable practices across these empires.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of illuminating
Verb
  • On the heels of the death of his longtime mate Jackie, bald eagle Shadow has been perching, singing and lounging at his Big Bear nest with a new companion.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Birdwatchers said Kaydee and Shadow have been flying around together for the past couple of days, flying to different trees and sometimes perching themselves on different branches for hours.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of perching
Verb
  • After descending in a metal cage elevator, Riff Raff removes his cape, revealing Frank-N-Furter in a corset, fishnets and pearls.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dropping off the ridges into the canyons was like descending into a furnace.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of descending
Noun
  • Three Fall Must-Dos Walk through hundreds of elaborate lanterns and take in live acrobatic shows at the Autumn Glow Festival at South River Vineyard.
    — Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When John finally reunites with Hal (who charges the ring against the lantern while quickly muttering his oath), the frustrated protégé immediately confronts his teacher with all the suspicions he was meant to keep secret.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of lantern
Verb
  • Persistent drought and scorching heat this summer have ravaged ecosystems and businesses across the region, from a lake in Slovenia and the side channel of the Danube in Serbia, to fish farms in Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While cooler fall days may be on the horizon, many students returning to school are still dealing with scorching end-of-summer temperatures.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorching
Verb
  • When temperatures exceed 110°F, passenger planes must consider lightening their loads.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
  • See what the experts had to say about lightening your hair without bleach below.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 July 2026
Definition of lightening

Phrases Containing lighting

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lighthouses
lighting
lighting into
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Cite this Entry

“Lighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lighting. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lighting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lighting

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