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
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Recent Examples of headliners
As the dunk contest has moved from headliners to prospects, the risk of the competition has been coming to be defined solely as a dunker, as was the case for former Heat dunk champion Harold Miner, and even reigning three-time dunk champion Matt McClung; who largely has toiled in the G League.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
This year’s two-weekend event boasts Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G as its headliners.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Feb. 2026
Players like Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton are headliners in this year's Dallas Open, and having these players front and center has helped the sport evolve in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
—Johnny Resendiz, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
In years past, American Sign Language performers have taken to the world’s biggest stage, accompanying half-time show headliners and interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, first sang at the Super Bowl in 2020 alongside headliners Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in Miami, delivering an unforgettable performance that showcased Latin music’s might and rising mainstream success.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
In just a few years, she’s gone from viral breakout to one of country’s most dependable young headliners.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The headliners, sports stars, A-list personalities and, of course, the influencers have begun to descend on the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mariah Carey is also already in the city as one of the main headliners of the opening ceremony.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
This year’s two-weekend event boasts Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G as its headliners.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Feb. 2026
Players like Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton are headliners in this year's Dallas Open, and having these players front and center has helped the sport evolve in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
—Johnny Resendiz, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
In years past, American Sign Language performers have taken to the world’s biggest stage, accompanying half-time show headliners and interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, first sang at the Super Bowl in 2020 alongside headliners Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in Miami, delivering an unforgettable performance that showcased Latin music’s might and rising mainstream success.
—Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
In just a few years, she’s gone from viral breakout to one of country’s most dependable young headliners.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The headliners, sports stars, A-list personalities and, of course, the influencers have begun to descend on the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mariah Carey is also already in the city as one of the main headliners of the opening ceremony.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headliners
Noun
-
The lowest-mass stars appear small, faint, red, and cool; the higher mass stars appear large, bright, blue, and hot.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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Tokyo — In scenes normally reserved for J-pop stars, thousands of fans huddle against the cold outside a small train station on the outskirts of Tokyo, their phones held high for a glimpse of Japan’s latest obsession.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of the principals at Zero Gravity, Williams is known for co-creating Netflix’s Ozark with Bill Dubuque.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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But unlike those other documents, the bill stated that principals or teachers may not read the Ten Commandments aloud when students are present.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headliners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headliners. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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