Synonyms of lodestar

lodestar

noun

ˈlōd-ˌstär 

variants also loadstar

as in compass

a guiding or motivating purpose or principle

a society seemingly with unbridled greed as its only lodestar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compass
• direction
• polestar
• purpose
• focus
• cynosure
• touchstone
• criterion
• standard
• objective
• goal
• yardstick
• benchmark
• measure
• intention
• par
• object
• aspiration
• aim
• ambition
• grade
• target
• dream
• mark

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lodestar

Over succeeding decades, both Sellars and Salonen have been Salzburg Festival lodestars. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

As always happens at the start of Scream films — the franchise that 2000's and 2026's Scary Movie films take as their lodestar — the Ghostface killer turns up and ruins everything. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

Nonetheless, the series evolves into an elaborate soap opera over its 39 episodes, with complex scheming characters opposing Utena, her relationship with Anthy serving as the lodestar that guides this tragedy towards its ambiguous conclusion. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026

At the same time, Tyler notched another accomplishment as one of the select few guests to appear on Clipse’s comeback album, Let God Sort Em Out, produced by his longtime musical lodestar, Pharrell Williams. — Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2026

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