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
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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
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
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
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
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
-
Abby would ask him to check the compass or check the map, or check both.
-
Use a geometry compass or a round object, like a dinner plate, to draw a smooth arch connecting these two lines.
Noun
-
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.
-
All that was missing from the game was a rusty shiv in the center circle.
Noun
-
Golf Road between Plum Grove and Commons Drive is closed in both directions as of Saturday afternoon.
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That’s why the unveiling of a M Concept car that defines the direction of the next generation of BMW’s performance division is big news in the car world.
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.
-
This was true throughout the neighborhood, which established itself this month as a secondary mecca for Knicks fans.
Noun
-
Sheriff's officials said a detailed investigation determined three employees used the system for non-law enforcement purposes, violating both agency policy and Georgia law.
-
Protect your space, then re-engage with purpose.
Noun
-
Images of the Venezuelan capital taken late yesterday show panic and destruction from the impact of twin earthquakes.
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Opponents argue agencies could avoid some of the service cuts officials have warned about by pausing capital improvement projects, including extensions.
Noun
-
One of Anthropic’s great strengths compared to its archrival OpenAI is its maniacal focus.
-
That same focus on controllables, turning the page on from failure, has helped spur Pages’ consistency.
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
-
Oil stockpiles at the critical oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, have plunged to the bare minimum of what is needed to operate.
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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