light on/upon

verb

: to find or see (something) by chance

Researchers have lit upon a solution.

His eye lit on a story in the newspaper.

Examples of light on/upon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026 The goal was to build a system that sheds light on how teams are good, not just which ones are good. — Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026 For us, TalaKō represents using childlike creativity and imagination to shine a light on the stories of local businesses. — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 The county’s annual audit due later this month is expected to shed some light on where collections and distributions ultimately landed last year. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 Presented by Disney, the screening was followed by a conversation between Scholey and IndieWire awards editor Marcus Jones that shed further light on the vital role that oceans play in our planet’s ecosystem. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 June 2026 Lens’ death last year became a local flashpoint, shedding new light on Transdev’s safety procedures and raising questions about its ability to keep the city’s children safe. — Willoughby Mariano, ProPublica, 8 June 2026 Harrowing new witness testimony shed light on the desperate final moments of 17-year-old Texas high school athlete Austin Metcalf's life following a fatal April 2025 stabbing at a crowded track meet. — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026 In the rare interview with CNN, Rezaei shed light on the thinking inside Iran’s strategic decision-making circles about the country’s postwar vision, the fate of the Strait of Hormuz and how Iran may act if it is attacked again. — Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

Cite this Entry

Style

“Light on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

light on/upon

verb

Examples of light on/upon in a Sentence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

comely

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes