cynosure

noun

ˈsī-nə-ˌshu̇r How to pronounce cynosure (audio)
Definition of cynosurenext
1
as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle with an unwavering commitment to equal rights for all as his only cynosure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest that company is the cynosure for anyone wishing to make it in the music business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cynosure The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity. — JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 From these beginnings, the Voice grew into a cynosure of the counterculture. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The film’s screenplay, co-written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki, finds its metaphoric cynosure in the Japanese concept of komorebi, which describes the play of light and shadow through the leaves of a tree, every shimmering moment unique. — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023 Past the age of fifty, the supple cynosure of the salons turned into something of a tottering wreck. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 MotoGP is the cynosure for those drawn to the heady blend of terror and enticement that defines the quest to go mind-numbingly fast. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023 As their cynosure, Ernestine herself remains a cipher, full of portentous sayings but little real thought. — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2022 It will be called the Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
  1. compass
  2. center
  3. direction
  4. mecca
  5. purpose
  6. capital
  7. focus
  8. hub
Noun
  • Some cities use a grid that's aligned not with the compass but with local geography, like waterways or mountains.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Think vintage navy portholes, ship compasses, and aircraft fuselage.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • The exchange came as Kyiv pressed its campaign against Russian infrastructure, with a drone attack on Sunday shutting down a data center in the city of Vladimir, east of Moscow, run by technology giant Yandex.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Mentions of data centers have, predictably, shot up across all three networks in recent months as political backlash against AI swells and the data centers themselves have become a salient issue ahead of the midterms.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Also back here is a dual-pattern power supply mount with two captive screws that serve one of the two supported mounting directions.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Rubin’s face followed a skin-first technique beloved by the wider beauty mecca for the last few years.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Named for the massive cliffs that stretch across 32 miles of shoreline, Calvert Cliffs is also a mecca for fossil hunters.
    — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of mecca
Noun
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from being part of the salon decor, the sculpture’s purpose, Ingram explained, is to introduce Vero’s service to his clientele.
    — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • In 2027 the film festival also joins Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival in celebrating eight decades of creativity and bringing audiences together in the Scottish capital.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As one of the principal gateways into the Saudi capital and a foundation stone of the entire Vision 2030 project, the Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport directly threaten the Kingdom’s strategy.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • Having said her piece, Lisa is fully checked out — putting her focus on lining her lips for as long as this takes, so much so that Angie calls her out for the nervous tick.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • These approaches test reason, rather than the output focus of most assignments.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Numerous international versions of the survival competition format can be filmed at the hub, which is based in the wilderness of Lake Kenyir replete with jaguars and pythons.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Over the years, the store has evolved into an informal community hub where customers gather, exchange news and help one another navigate life in Colorado.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of hub

Browse Nearby Words

cynics
cynosure
cynosures
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Cite this Entry

“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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