as in stars
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
a headliner on variety shows in the early days of TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of headliners
The Railbird Music Festival has announced its 2026 lineup, which includes headliners The Lumineers, Tyler Childers, Caamp, Zach Top, Mt Joy, Ella Langley, Sam Barber, Muscadine Bloodline, and more.
—
Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Download Festival founder Andy Copping was forced to respond to criticism over billing Sleep Token as one of this year’s headliners, standing by the band as the next big thing despite pushback from attendees.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
The singer is set to be one of the headliners at Coachella 2026, alongside Karol G, Anyma, and Sabrina Carpenter.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
Among the headliners, Wilson is on a roll, in television as well as music.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
This week doesn’t have the depth of marquee headliners (few weeks do), but Miami going to Florida State with both teams competing in the ACC is a throwback treat.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The lineup this year includes headliners Cassandra Wilson as well as the Stanley Clarke Band.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 29 Sep. 2025
This year’s headliners include Blink-182, Deftones, Korn and Bring Me The Horizon.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The three-time Grammy-winning artist is in great company, with prior Super Bowl headliners including Grammy winners like Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Shakira, Rihanna, Madonna, Usher, and Kendrick Lamar.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Download Festival founder Andy Copping was forced to respond to criticism over billing Sleep Token as one of this year’s headliners, standing by the band as the next big thing despite pushback from attendees.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
The singer is set to be one of the headliners at Coachella 2026, alongside Karol G, Anyma, and Sabrina Carpenter.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
Among the headliners, Wilson is on a roll, in television as well as music.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
This week doesn’t have the depth of marquee headliners (few weeks do), but Miami going to Florida State with both teams competing in the ACC is a throwback treat.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The lineup this year includes headliners Cassandra Wilson as well as the Stanley Clarke Band.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 29 Sep. 2025
This year’s headliners include Blink-182, Deftones, Korn and Bring Me The Horizon.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The three-time Grammy-winning artist is in great company, with prior Super Bowl headliners including Grammy winners like Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Shakira, Rihanna, Madonna, Usher, and Kendrick Lamar.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headliners
Noun
-
Elordi was among the stable of young stars who shot to fame when Euphoria premiered on HBO in 2019.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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In Hubble's recent image, NGC 6951 unfurls its graceful spiral arms, covered in red nebulae glowing with hydrogen gas, a key fuel for new stars.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As there is a need for STEM and understanding the diverse population of 196, principals and building leadership teams could better utilize their community for resources in professional development.—
Pioneer Press elections team,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
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In the absence of all these things, the deal depends almost entirely on Trump maintaining pressure on the principals.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headliners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headliners. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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