Synonyms of luminaries

luminaries

noun

plural of luminary

1

as in stars

a ball-shaped gaseous celestial body that shines by its own light

awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stars
• galaxies
• suns
• clusters
• spheres
• supernovas
• variables
• constellations
• neutron stars
• brown dwarfs
• quasars
• white dwarfs
• binary stars
• fixed stars
• pulsars
• variable stars
• supergiants
• red stars
• lodestars
• red giants
• superclusters
• giant stars
• dwarfs
• red dwarfs
• novas
• subdwarfs
• gassers

2

as in celebrities

a person who is widely known and usually much talked about

luminaries from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics were at the gala

Synonyms & Similar Words

• celebrities
• stars
• personalities
• figures
• dignitaries
• notables
• superstars
• heroes
• personages
• celebs
• VIPs
• notabilities
• lights
• names
• standouts
• icons
• megastars
• worthies
• idols
• causes célèbres
• somebodies
• favorites
• eminences
• magnates
• immortals
• notorieties
• pillars
• monuments
• bigwigs
• heartthrobs
• barons
• demigods
• moguls
• nabobs
• big shots
• panjandrums
• kahunas

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nobodies
• mediocrities
• lightweights
• noncelebrities
• has-beens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of luminaries

All the essays collected here are by writers who happen to swim, rather than swimmers who happen to write, including luminaries like Margaret Drabble, Esther Freud, and Leanne Shapton. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Last year, luminaries like Conan O’Brien, Ryan Murphy, and Viola Davis were all honored at the event, which closed out the festival on a high note. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Trump’s close ties to sports luminaries have helped him on the campaign trail and are paying off this summer, with the Senate scheduled for its first votes on the bill next month. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Jamison also didn’t put anyone who played before 1974 on his team, leaving out older luminaries like Charlie Scott, Bobby Jones, Walter Davis, Bob McAdoo, Billy Cunningham and Lennie Rosenbluth. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

From above, an outdoor terrace is outfitted especially for hosting recruits or other luminaries, complete, for the time being, with basketball courts and pickleball. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

The exam’s board also includes many conservative luminaries, including Christopher Rufo, as well as philosopher, Cornel West. — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 30 July 2026

These luminaries provided unique perspectives on innovation and the future. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Among the most famous of the Bronzeville joints was the 708 Club, which often featured such luminaries as Waters, Diddley, Elmore James, Memphis Minnie, Sunnyland Slim, and Howlin’ Wolf. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026