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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of luminaries
Casa Marina, a storied resort that originally opened in 1925, is set on Key West’s largest private beach and in its 100-year past, has hosted luminaries like Rita Hayworth, Guy Lombardo, Ernest Hemingway, Donald Sutherland, Helen Mirren, and Ozzie Osbourne.
—
Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The service at the House of Hope, a megachurch on Chicago's South Side, is drawing a roster of luminaries to help Jackson's family observe a homegoing for the late civil rights leader.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
What stood out most, however, was just how emotional the event was, particularly considering the many recent passings of some of our most beloved film and TV luminaries.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
In the opening number of The 2026 SAG Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), host Kristen Bell gave suggestions for stage names for Hollywood luminaries in the room, suggesting tweaks to existing stage names and new monikers for others.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Now that the program has been able to book members of Congress, there’s hope for other luminaries.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
This week’s crop of new songs includes Grammy winners, country traditionalists, and bluegrass luminaries.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
The Olympic opener featured global talent from Mariah Carey to Andrea Bocelli, but its Sunday counterpart will focus on performances from Italian luminaries like Grammy-nominated DJ Gabry Ponte, singer Achille Lauro, and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 Feb. 2026
At times, he’s been joined by Democratic Socialists of America luminaries such as Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Anne Bratskeir, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The service at the House of Hope, a megachurch on Chicago's South Side, is drawing a roster of luminaries to help Jackson's family observe a homegoing for the late civil rights leader.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
What stood out most, however, was just how emotional the event was, particularly considering the many recent passings of some of our most beloved film and TV luminaries.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
In the opening number of The 2026 SAG Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), host Kristen Bell gave suggestions for stage names for Hollywood luminaries in the room, suggesting tweaks to existing stage names and new monikers for others.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Now that the program has been able to book members of Congress, there’s hope for other luminaries.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
This week’s crop of new songs includes Grammy winners, country traditionalists, and bluegrass luminaries.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2026
The Olympic opener featured global talent from Mariah Carey to Andrea Bocelli, but its Sunday counterpart will focus on performances from Italian luminaries like Grammy-nominated DJ Gabry Ponte, singer Achille Lauro, and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 Feb. 2026
At times, he’s been joined by Democratic Socialists of America luminaries such as Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminaries
Noun
-
This isn’t just a local problem; the Astrophage are eating stars everywhere, like ants at an intergalactic picnic.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The stars are turning down the volume, but not changing the message.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The backstory Built in 1933 as the first hotel in Ibiza, this neo-colonial grande dame was the beating heart of Ibiza Town, a meeting spot for locals, hippies, and celebrities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Obama visited the island, shook hands with Raúl Castro, celebrities were vacationing in Havana, international artists hosted concerts and cruise ships even started sailing from Miami to Havana.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, there are also regions that have hot, ionized material in the way, such as around active galaxies or in passing through galaxy clusters that have hot, X-ray emitting intracluster mediums.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Mar. 2026
-
By tracking that glow, scientists can trace not just bright galaxies but also the diffuse gas that surrounds and connects them.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Protest organizers say the action is not only about Noma, but about the broader restaurant industry as a whole and the conditions and personalities that have come to shape it.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Glimpsing elements of their lives and personalities helps to ground their work, demonstrating that revolutionary political thought and action does not originate in ivory towers, but instead amidst our everyday realities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On the walls, some embossed with seashells, are moon carvings and brass suns, glossy lacquer minibars in baby blues and oxblood reds, and wonky puzzle piece doorknobs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The spectrum also shows the structure is a mix of gas and stars and suggests that the far end is a bright knot of gas glowing as bright as nearly 50 million suns.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Spotify claims those who aren’t household names can earn six figures, with more than 1,500 artists earning $1 million last year.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Pay a little more, and kids can sign up for craft sessions to make dream catchers or paint ceramic Boholano figures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In late spring to summer, clusters of wide, white flowers bloom on the vines.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, there are also regions that have hot, ionized material in the way, such as around active galaxies or in passing through galaxy clusters that have hot, X-ray emitting intracluster mediums.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There were so many dignitaries, political and religious leaders, entertainers and Jackson allies at his funeral.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During perhaps the most rousing eulogy of all on Saturday, Jackson’s second-oldest son, Jonathan, referenced his father’s journey from then to now, while a who’s-who of faith leaders, heads of state, dignitaries, power brokers and celebrities mourned before him.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminaries. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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