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

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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
  • Borders should follow water flows, not compass directions, Powell believed.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • University police issued the shelter-in-place order earlier Sunday night, instructing people to close windows and doors, report anything unusual to police and await further directions.
    — Adam Bednar, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of directions
Noun
  • Since launching the Pink Pony Campaign in 2000, Ralph Lauren has championed the fight against cancer by funding cancer centers and world-class research facilities around the world.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The excavation centers on Mieza, an ancient Macedonian city in northern Greece, where archaeologists have been uncovering a sprawling complex known as the Royal Gymnasium.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 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
  • The job included planning intelligence and sabotage missions from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and running spy networks across the entire region, from capitals like Prague, Bucharest, and Tirana to mountains in Greece and Yugoslavia.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In Europe, multiethnic capitals are pilloried by the far right as demographic time bombs, ground zero for invasions of unwanted foreigners.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • Among his tremendous body of work, Wright designed residences more than any other building type, and though some have been converted into house museums or used for other purposes, the vast majority remain private homes.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Subscription rights, usage charges, licensing and referral arrangements serve different purposes.
    — Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of purposes
Noun
  • For decades, this address was one of the city's defining social hubs, and Annie's has reclaimed that role.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • These districts can be established within a city, county or cooperative area to create economic development projects like industrial sites, research facilities, job-training centers and distribution hubs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of hubs
Noun
  • In 2019, the NFL entered into a multiyear deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, with the focuses of the partnership being live entertainment and amplifying social justice initiatives.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Improving infrastructure has been one of Duffy’s primary focuses since taking the helm.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 21 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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