LUMINARY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

luminary 1 of 2

noun

ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē

Definition of luminary

as in star

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

Relevance

as in celebrity

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

luminary

2 of 2

adjective

as in luminous

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 luminary

Noun

In Cancer, this luminary’s expression is personal, protective and emotionally driven. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Not only have names of former Big Brother players been floating on social media, but other reality TV luminaries have been attached to the upcoming installment, which premieres July 9 on CBS. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Adjective

All three bars take their places alongside other luminary bars in the Bay Area, Southern California, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix and Maui. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 A lot of neighborhoods have luminary traditions that involve lining DIY paper lanterns along the streets and pathways. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luminary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary

Noun

At halftime on the field of play at the New York New Jersey Stadium, megawatt stars including Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and Justin Bieber will take to the stage, co-signing a handful of designers.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Fans suspected something was off when star and producer Blake Lively and costar-director Justin Baldoni abstained from doing joint press — or even being photographed together — during the film's promotional tour.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of star

Noun

During his tenure, Rousteing spearheaded the creation of the ‘Balmain Army’, a diverse and influential community of models, influencers, and celebrities that included figures such as the Kardashians.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 14 July 2026
The event is operating at a scale on par with the Super Bowl or Olympics, with multiple performances and celebrity cameos.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of celebrity

Adjective

Indeed, Brocka insists on escapist fantasies in a world that otherwise offers no escape, which, in my view, is more hopeful than bleak — and, in turn, allows this kind of gritty sensuality to persist in his ever-enduring, luminous cinema.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
The collection’s color palette combines seasonal colors with more technical and luminous hues, in line with Reda’s overall visual universe.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 7 July 2026

Definition of luminous

Noun

More specifically, this sugar was detected in a molecular cloud in the interstellar medium, or the space between star systems in a galaxy.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026
In a World Cup boasting a galaxy of stars, a lunch-bucket team of blue-collar everymen may wind up outshining them all.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of galaxy

Adjective

Developers who use multiple AI agents simultaneously can switch between them using the illuminated keys, and a dedicated voice recorder shortcut supports spoken prompts.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
That means Earth's only natural satellite will be invisible to Earth as its illuminated side faces the moon, NASA explains.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of illuminated

Noun

Stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Tim Cook, Michelle Obama, and Jack Dorsey have had their morning coffee, caught up on emails, and squeezed in a workout before the sun has even risen—and research has even shown that the early bird does indeed catch the worm.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of sun

Noun

Among the ships open for tours is the USS Arlington, a nearly 700-foot-long Navy amphibious transport ship, which typically moves Marines, Sailors and dignitaries across the world.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Taking place at the Hôtel de Ville, the event saw Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris, welcome the Esports World Cup and dignitaries from the event and its partners to Paris.

— Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of dignitary

Browse Nearby Words

luminaries

luminary

luminesce

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“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of luminary

noun

adjective

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