as in lamps
something that provides illumination
the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in illumines
to supply with light
a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beacons
Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The report recommends several short- and long-term safety measures to include new signs for drivers and trail users, lighting beacons at crossings and reducing the speed limit to 50 mph from 55 mph south of Northwest 126th Avenue.
—Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Work will focus on updating all traffic signals and street lighting; installing and replacing rectangular rapid flash beacons; constructing curb extensions; upgrading utilities; and creating additional bus shelters at the Kenmore Place stop.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026
To bring attention to pedestrians crossing the street, the public works team will also add rapid flashing beacons when the road crosses the north leg of Wenonga Road.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Described as experienced snowmobilers, the group had been prepared for a day of backcountry exploration and were well-equipped, even having avalanche beacons/transceivers.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The future beacons for the coexistence of the two methods, contrary to one replacing the other.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
The biennial’s rooms feel like a collection of pre-internet distress signals, low-level emergency beacons, messages in bottles.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Those beacons will pinpoint the exact location of the weapon, which generates fear.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Along with Orion's other blue beacons, the belt stars form a loose stellar grouping called an association.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The report recommends several short- and long-term safety measures to include new signs for drivers and trail users, lighting beacons at crossings and reducing the speed limit to 50 mph from 55 mph south of Northwest 126th Avenue.
—Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Work will focus on updating all traffic signals and street lighting; installing and replacing rectangular rapid flash beacons; constructing curb extensions; upgrading utilities; and creating additional bus shelters at the Kenmore Place stop.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 3 Feb. 2026
To bring attention to pedestrians crossing the street, the public works team will also add rapid flashing beacons when the road crosses the north leg of Wenonga Road.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Described as experienced snowmobilers, the group had been prepared for a day of backcountry exploration and were well-equipped, even having avalanche beacons/transceivers.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The future beacons for the coexistence of the two methods, contrary to one replacing the other.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
The biennial’s rooms feel like a collection of pre-internet distress signals, low-level emergency beacons, messages in bottles.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Those beacons will pinpoint the exact location of the weapon, which generates fear.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacons
Noun
-
Keep Storage Items Dust Free Keep small furniture, lamps, and other decor from collecting dust in the attic or garage by covering them with an old pillowcase.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Branches turn into lamps and shower heads, while reclaimed hardwoods become chairs, desks, and tables.—
Stephanie Rafanelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The set design includes Norms’ orange vinyl counter seats, pendant lights, a metallic wall clock and tent cards on the tables.—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When the lights go out and the sound of 20 engines thundering to life cuts through the crowd’s silent anticipation, all eyes in the grandstands will fix on the race for 56 laps.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This Leo Full Moon illuminates confidence, creativity, leadership, and the desire to be seen.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Amid the chronological retelling of anecdotes and landmark events in Valdez’s storied career, Alvarado also illuminates the elderly master’s personal wounds.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Brumbelow has found that cars with headlights rated highly by IIHS for visibility—which includes many but not all LED headlights—have 19% fewer nighttime crashes compared to cars with poor headlight visibility.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beacons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacons. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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