1
as in star
a ball-shaped gaseous celestial body that shines by its own light
awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
luminaries from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics were at the gala
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in luminous
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of luminary
Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
In the opening number of The 2026 SAG Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), host Kristen Bell gave suggestions for stage names for Hollywood luminaries in the room, suggesting tweaks to existing stage names and new monikers for others.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025
Among the notable new names set to walk the halls of the ennui-addled series are Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, YouTube icon Trisha Paytas, True Blood star Sam Trammell, and Till luminary Danielle Deadwyler.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
The service at the House of Hope, a megachurch on Chicago's South Side, is drawing a roster of luminaries to help Jackson's family observe a homegoing for the late civil rights leader.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
In the opening number of The 2026 SAG Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), host Kristen Bell gave suggestions for stage names for Hollywood luminaries in the room, suggesting tweaks to existing stage names and new monikers for others.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
A lot of neighborhoods have luminary traditions that involve lining DIY paper lanterns along the streets and pathways.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025
Among the notable new names set to walk the halls of the ennui-addled series are Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, YouTube icon Trisha Paytas, True Blood star Sam Trammell, and Till luminary Danielle Deadwyler.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
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On this Wednesday’s episode of The Run-Through, Doja Cat—Vogue’s April cover star and the host of the second annual Vogue Vintage Market—calls in from her dining room in Los Angeles.—
Alexandra Di Palma,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Kansas City Royals star Maikel Garcia shined on the national stage.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Leigh Wambsganss, the Republican candidate and a Mercy Culture ally, had become a minor MAGA celebrity, owing to her role in facilitating a far-right takeover of the area’s school boards.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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The backstory Built in 1933 as the first hotel in Ibiza, this neo-colonial grande dame was the beating heart of Ibiza Town, a meeting spot for locals, hippies, and celebrities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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This signature geometry changes the way light behaves within the diamond, resulting in a crisp, fluid, and unusually dimensional luminous quality.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The European Space Agency telescope is designed to make a 3D map of the universe by looking at billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away across one third of the sky.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
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Its rampant star formation was triggered in part by the gravitational influence exerted by the nearby galaxy NGC 5195, the glowing core of which can be seen shining at one end of the Whirlpool Galaxy's great spiral structure.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
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The books also reflect elements of Grace's personality.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Our weeklong tester, a 2026 Escalade IQL Sport wrapped in Black Cherry Tint coat had a slew of standard features such as 22-inch wheels, Super Cruise autonomous driving, 55-inch curved display screen, heads up display, panoramic sunroof and illuminated grille to name a few.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The top-line stereo system is packaged with a half-dozen options, including head-up display and various illuminated badges and other accoutrements.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those who did spend a day in the sun were what appeared to be the average crowds the city sees outside Spring Break.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Olympics are special and not just because of elite athletes and global dignitaries.—
Robert Carroll,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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There were so many dignitaries, political and religious leaders, entertainers and Jackson allies at his funeral.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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