as in spotlight
the center of public attention
an actress who discovered that the limelight was not such a glowing experience when her privacy was invaded
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Recent Examples of limelight
The series turned Van Der Beek into a youth heartthrob and catapulted him into the national limelight.
—
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
While much of the debate (and excitement) centers on the selection of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the headliner, punk rock fans are eager to see how and what opening band Green Day will do with its moment in the national limelight.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Automotive companies like Ford and GM usually get the most limelight, but there were many others, like Singer, a company that normally makes sewing machines, that started making firearm components.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
Saunders turns out to be one of two dancers spotlighted in Episode 2 who thought their on-stage careers were over before they got thrust into as big a limelight as show business has ever seen as part of the Eras Tour.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
While much of the debate (and excitement) centers on the selection of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the headliner, punk rock fans are eager to see how and what opening band Green Day will do with its moment in the national limelight.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Automotive companies like Ford and GM usually get the most limelight, but there were many others, like Singer, a company that normally makes sewing machines, that started making firearm components.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
Saunders turns out to be one of two dancers spotlighted in Episode 2 who thought their on-stage careers were over before they got thrust into as big a limelight as show business has ever seen as part of the Eras Tour.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limelight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for limelight
Noun
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Programming will also include monthly ‘UConn Unleashed’ specials, which will spotlight teams, athletes and stories from across all of the Huskies’ sports programs.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
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The urgency of the moment has trained a spotlight on Sebastian Gorka, the White House counterterrorism adviser tasked with drafting a blueprint for fighting homegrown and international threats.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Aries March 21 – April 19 Something at home needs your attention, and pushing through it won’t work today.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
March 21 – April 19 Something at home needs your attention, and pushing through it won’t work today.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Limelight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limelight. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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