lodestars

noun

variants also loadstars
plural of lodestar
as in compasses
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a society seemingly with unbridled greed as its only lodestar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lodestars Over succeeding decades, both Sellars and Salonen have been Salzburg Festival lodestars. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 But in swapping out just four tracks, FKA twigs finally brought planet EUSEXUA into the orbit of her late-’90s pop lodestars. — Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025 Despite their three-year age difference, Derek Hough and Julianne Hough have become the twin lodestars of Dancing With the Stars. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lodestars
  1. compasses
  2. directions
  3. foci
  4. purposes
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
  • In keeping with the film‘s maximalist vibe, the noise around it keeps whipsawing in different directions, with defenders calling it a misunderstood masterpiece and detractors equally fervent in calling it a complete artistic disaster.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Also back here is a dual-pattern power supply mount with two captive screws that serve one of the two supported mounting directions.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of directions
Noun
  • Central Asia has the largest number of foci, or areas where the disease is present.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also the Chill and Thrill Islands, aptly named for their focuses on chilling and thrilling passengers, respectively.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of foci
Noun
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The area, for all intents and purposes, has always functioned as the back of the museum.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of purposes

Browse Nearby Words

lodestar
lodestars
lodestone
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Cite this Entry

“Lodestars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lodestars. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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