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
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
While the Sackler family, which owned Purdue, attracted intense national attention and became a cynosure of criticism after the company’s introduction of its blockbuster pill OxyContin, the Mallinckrodt brand slipped under the radar.
—Washington Post, 10 May 2022
As their cynosure, Ernestine herself remains a cipher, full of portentous sayings but little real thought.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2022
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
While the Sackler family, which owned Purdue, attracted intense national attention and became a cynosure of criticism after the company’s introduction of its blockbuster pill OxyContin, the Mallinckrodt brand slipped under the radar.
—Washington Post, 10 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
-
Fast-forward 2,000 years, and the cultural compass has completely flipped.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This is the compass that gives you direction in life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Discard the tired-looking center and separate clumps from the outer edges by hand or use a sharp knife or pruning saw.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Public and private investors would develop the Gaza Strip into a center of tech innovation and tourism, with high-rises.—
Michele Chabin,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mother Monster took home the artist of the year award, best collaboration, best direction, and best art direction at the MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Once the band reaches your chest, slowly reverse the direction, keeping your elbows straight.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Test yourself on melon meccas and revolutionary roots in this week's American Culture Quiz.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Over the years, Hvar has earned a reputation as a mecca for club-goers—a place for people to come dance until sunrise and then ride the ferry back to the mainland, still drunk and reeling from the night before.—
Ivana Rihter,
Vogue,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
It hasn’t been approved by the FDA for that purpose and hasn’t been shown to be effective.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lisa, 28, wore a black maxi dress with cutouts, and paired the look with an extremely rare Hermès Birkin while in South Korea's capital city.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
At the club’s training ground in the Valdebebas district of the Spanish capital, both coaching staff and team-mates value the fact Ceballos can bring a style of play that is not so characteristic of the club’s other midfielders, more based on linking play.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The live coverage, however, mostly emphasized the impact on the players, in keeping with the network’s focus on sports.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
-
China's trade data for August will also be in focus.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the attacker re-aggravated his hamstring at the club’s training hub in Rush Green.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Picton Prince Edward County’s largest town, Picton, serves as a central hub for shops, galleries, and accommodations, including The Royal hotel and Slickers County Ice Cream.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share