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
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Example Sentences
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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
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
Noun
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Atop the Go board there lies a compass whose dials swing chaotically.
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The Ti-Trailblazer takes a unique approach by making a compass its main feature and building 10 additional tools around it.
Noun
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The story begins with the historic building designed by Edward Durrell Stone in the 1960s as the World Trade Center, with a cruciform plan that nodded to the four corners of the compass and New Orleans’ place as a center of international commerce.
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All that was missing from the game was a rusty shiv in the center circle.
Noun
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Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
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The 2026 Honor Marching Band and Color Guard, under the direction of Boise State professor Phil Hartman, filled the air with festive tunes in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Noun
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The fest is becoming a beacon for those who still pine for former jam meccas like Gathering of the Vibes, Wakarusa, Rothbury, and 10,000 Lakes.
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This was true throughout the neighborhood, which established itself this month as a secondary mecca for Knicks fans.
Noun
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There were other reminders as well, some less subtle than others, of the true purpose of Congress.
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However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Noun
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The action required is not cultural goodwill but actual capital, flowing from institutions, from investors, and from women with wealth toward the work of building these tables.
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Downtown Sacramento was awash in Dodger blue as thousands of fans poured into the capital city for a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the A’s that concludes Wednesday.
Noun
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More Freedom 250 controversy Freedom 250 has been the focus of other controversy over funding transparency and religious representations.
-
In Appalachia, a regional style of song emerged that transformed the narrative focus of British ballads into shorter lyric folk songs suitable for presentation on commercial recordings.
Noun
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Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
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If a robot starts patrolling your local garage, mall, park or transit hub, do not get distracted by the cool tech factor.
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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