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
Relevance
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
The setting had all the elements of a stirring, emotional clash: an underlying sense of betrayal, accusations of soulless greed, the prospect of transformative change and a popular, beloved figure trapped in the cynosure of the firestorm.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 16 June 2022
The Celtic cynosure in the 100-96 triumph, Tatum logged a team-best 26 points along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists while scoring 7 vital fourth-quarter points.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
As their cynosure, Ernestine herself remains a cipher, full of portentous sayings but little real thought.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2022
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
The setting had all the elements of a stirring, emotional clash: an underlying sense of betrayal, accusations of soulless greed, the prospect of transformative change and a popular, beloved figure trapped in the cynosure of the firestorm.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 16 June 2022
The Celtic cynosure in the 100-96 triumph, Tatum logged a team-best 26 points along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists while scoring 7 vital fourth-quarter points.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
As their cynosure, Ernestine herself remains a cipher, full of portentous sayings but little real thought.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
Noun
-
And, Thao added, trust your internal compass.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Imagination becomes your compass when Venus aligns with Jupiter.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Based on similar moral panics among Democratic politicos proposing bans on new data center development from Oregon to Georgia, the Left seems ready to unite to oppose AI because of its extraordinary potential for economic productivity.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Ryan said Thursday that the man had been wearing orange booties issued by the county holding center, rather than proper shoes suitable for winter weather.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s direction of the hospital ship to Greenland comes shortly after NATO began boosting its defense in the Arctic, largely conducting military drills.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The publication’s top editors are jockeying for the editor-in-chief role, a powerful position at a magazine where the writers, rather than the business side, traditionally control the direction of the enterprise.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hollywood has struggled to return to its former status as a production mecca after the COVID-19 pandemic and 2023’s dual strikes.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
At Sunin Plaza, the do-it-yourself PC mecca in Seoul, the usual weekday buzz has evaporated.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Captures and killings of cartel leaders serve a strategic purpose of showing that something is being done, but the effectiveness of such policies in the long run is very limited.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Idaho Majority Club’s website provided few details on the purpose of the event.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kim capped the meetings with a nighttime military parade in the capital, sharing center stage with his increasingly prominent daughter -- believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and about 13.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Emergency crews responded in five other regions, as well as in the capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps, it was posed to Doncic, the Lakers lost some focus on offense because of the complaints that led to the T’s.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
That was all well and good on the farm, where the focus is on player development, not winning.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The just-for-Prime members hub is a treasure trove of exclusive markdowns that other shoppers can’t access.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
