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cynosures

noun

plural of cynosure
1
as in directions
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 centers
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosures
  1. directions
  2. centers
  3. compasses
  4. capitals
  5. purposes
  6. hubs
  7. foci
  8. meccas
Noun
  • But Palatine Road was closed in both directions at Winston Drive for hours while crews cleaned up the mess.
    — Desiree Evans, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • At the end of both cases, the judge will give directions to the jury, after which all of their electronic devices will be taken and they will be sent to a room to consider their verdict.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of directions
Noun
  • Washington can’t stop talking about AI doom scenarios and the public backlash to data centers — but around the world, sentiment toward the fast-moving technology is much more nuanced.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The team has already constructed a working proof-of-concept that measures magnetic fields by reading the spin states of the NV centers.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • Think vintage navy portholes, ship compasses, and aircraft fuselage.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The prevailing motifs include Anglo-American boarding schools and college campuses, accoutrements with a romantic aura (billowing sleeves, melting candles), and analog artifacts (old compasses, monocles).
    — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
Definition of compasses
Noun
  • Milan was the last of the four major fashion capitals to host the event, which launched in New York in 2022, followed by editions in London, Paris and Los Angeles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The president has never understood why Washington does not look like other capitals.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • FedNow and Bitcoin merchant payments operate through different systems and serve different purposes, so their transaction figures do not provide a basis for direct comparison.
    — Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Assessments Assessment reports like those produced by the US and the IPCC serve several purposes.
    — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of purposes
Noun
  • The goal is to spread out the incoming traffic and economic stimulus beyond the major hubs and peak tourist seasons of July and August.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • While there are other logistics hubs in the region, Bahrain was a key option before the war began.
    — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of hubs
Noun
  • Improving infrastructure has been one of Duffy’s primary focuses since taking the helm.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Both inflation and the jobs market have been key focuses for Wall Street and the Federal Reserve.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of foci
Noun
  • Instead of meccas or meeting places for diehard fans, live sporting events try to position themselves as major cultural moments.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • 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.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
Definition of meccas
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.

Browse Nearby Words

cynosure
cynosures
Cyrenaic
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Cite this Entry

“Cynosures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosures. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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