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
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
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Within five minutes, officers found Lewis less than two blocks from the stabbing, wearing the same clothing and a distinctive compass chain described by the victim and a witness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The new compass heading is clear, out with theChiarellis, the McKenzies, and the Milleys.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For years, advocates for expanding child birth options in Kentucky have called on lawmakers to reduce barriers to establishing freestanding birthing centers.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While the New York Times has significantly cut back on its unsigned editorial board pieces, the Post appears to be moving in the opposite direction.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Researchers found that the receivers of the dance weren’t just following the direction and distance indicated by the waggle dance.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Realistic set-ups, like a hospital bed complete with IV and an operating room laid out with special lighting and equipment, turn imaginative play into a storytelling mecca.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Madison Avenue, a mecca for upscale designer boutiques and art galleries, is a five-minute walk.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Personality and purpose Upon entering the home, the first room one notices is Catherine's spacious office, which sits just to the left of the front door.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
While the Sixers theoretically have four centers, one is the brittle Joel Embiid, two are youngsters who haven’t clearly established themselves yet (Adem Bona and Johni Broome) and the other is a near-the-end Andre Drummond, who might also be traded for tax purposes.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors argued that Rocha knowingly and deliberately shot and killed Vasquez on July 19, 2022, in the closing arguments of the capital murder trial for Rocha.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In this century’s first two decades, the city had become America’s most relevant and talked-about dining capital — fueled by affordable commercial rents, innovative talent and its access to choice ingredients from local purveyors.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His face held emotionless focus.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The government shutdown prevented BLS from issuing its jobs report for September on Friday, putting outsized focus on alternate gauges.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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From Hollywood soundstages to Paris runways and Brooklyn’s creative hubs, Black excellence continued to shine brightly—proving that no matter the city or season, culture never takes a day off.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
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How to Get There The main air hub in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (MLE), located on the capital island of Malé.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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