LIGHT-YEARS Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

light-years

noun

plural of light-year

as in worlds

a huge physical or conceptual distance my sister and I are close in age, but personality-wise, there are light-years between us

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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 light-years While Earth's storms can last hours or days, these cosmic disturbances can unfold over millions of years and span thousands of light-years. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 23 June 2026 The star itself is called GJ 436, a red dwarf half the mass of the Sun that resides about 30 light-years from Earth. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026 The researchers studied the planets' orbits using telescopes on Earth to determine their density, from 1,110 light-years away. — CBS News, 25 June 2026 The featherweight pair — orbiting a star 1,110 light-years away — are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 The featherweight pair — orbiting a star 1,110 light-years away — are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy. — Marcia Dunn, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 Rubin released its first images last year, including colorful shots of the Trifid and Lagoon nebulas located thousands of light-years from Earth. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 Given its distance of 3,000 light-years from the solar system, what is about to happen actually occurred 3,000 years ago, and the light is about to reach Earth. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The blue-white double star system Alpha Virginis — known colloquially as Spica — happens to shine roughly 250 light-years from Earth. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for light-years

Noun

The mission won't just hunt for aliens, but rather explore these habitable planets and their atmospheres, expanding our understanding of other worlds while also being used for a variety of astronomical purposes.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 6 July 2026
In other worlds, the suit said the utilities agreed to operate in compliance with ISO orders, which at times included modifying or expanding their high voltage transmission systems.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of worlds

Noun

The images may help scientists discern how galaxies form and cluster over billions of years, and how the universe came to be.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
This rapid spin can drag spacetime around the black hole, a phenomenon known as frame dragging, and may also help power the enormous relativistic jets observed in active galaxies.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026

Definition of galaxies

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light-year

light-years

likability

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“Light-years.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light-years. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of light-years

noun

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