1
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
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2
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
as in lighted
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of luminary
Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
They’re told to read The Proletarian’s Pocketbook (a real chapbook containing inspirational quotes from such revolutionary luminaries as Karl Marx and Malcolm X) and to immediately suspect any strangers.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 July 2025
The winners were announced Monday night at the James Beard Foundation Awards, held at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, where the country’s best chefs, restaurateurs and other culinary luminaries gathered for the Oscars of the food industry.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
The single, featuring solos by such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper, was released on March 7, 1985, and went on to sell more than 10 million copies.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Adjective
Just like the real-life luminaries, it is hoped that the new doll will provide comfort to children diagnosed or already living with this challenging condition as well as raise awareness amongst those without that direct experience.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
They’re told to read The Proletarian’s Pocketbook (a real chapbook containing inspirational quotes from such revolutionary luminaries as Karl Marx and Malcolm X) and to immediately suspect any strangers.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 July 2025
The winners were announced Monday night at the James Beard Foundation Awards, held at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, where the country’s best chefs, restaurateurs and other culinary luminaries gathered for the Oscars of the food industry.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
The single, featuring solos by such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper, was released on March 7, 1985, and went on to sell more than 10 million copies.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
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Meanwhile in Los Angeles, hip-hop legends LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Chuck D, and Busta Rhymes gathered for a major moment as Busta received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Aug. 2025
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The movie star opted for a pair of Frankel’s Kennedy satin pumps to wear to the screening.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The series takes a group of celebrities to the Bahamas – the shark capital of the world – and tasks them with diving with a different species of shark, with the breeds getting bigger and more dangerous each time.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Angelina Liu,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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On a clear night away from the glow of city lights, the sky can be spectacular—a velvet canvas dotted with millions of twinkling stars, the luminous moon, and the shimmering band of the Milky Way galaxy.—
Linnea Bailey,
Southern Living,
4 Aug. 2025
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The European Space Agency telescope is designed to make a 3D map of the universe by looking at billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away across one third of the sky.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the initial study of over 1,200 single adults, MacDonald and his team were able to associate these different motivations with a host of personality traits: Intrinsic motivation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Keys also stars in a campaign spot alongside popular TikTok personalities Noah Beck, Cyrus Veyssi and Dr. Muneeb Shah.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Threaded through all this heaviness, however, is a palpable joy, a kind of luminous gratitude for having found one another, despite their presence in a country that routinely shuns them.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
29 July 2025
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Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Bundle Best for: Red carpet-ready shimmer and luxe layering Created by celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta, this body bundle includes a shimmering body oil, body brush, and sculpting balm to deliver a luminous, head-to-toe glow.—
Corein Carter,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Being underwater and exposed to chlorine, salt water and chemicals can take a toll on the mechanicals of a robot and exposure to summer sun has an impact on plastics.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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Negotiate new terms as Mercury retrograde joins the sun.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Over the past century, The Rod & Gun Club has hosted presidents, dignitaries, and celebrities like John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, and Jack Nicklaus.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
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This resort has hosted global dignitaries, prolific leaders, and tastemakers alike.—
Ashlee Marie Preston,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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With its eerily formless threat, catchy theme song, wholesome teen heroes, and ingeniously practical ooze effects (a dazzling mix of in-camera and optical printing), The Blob straddles atomic-era paranoia and gooey creature-feature fun.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
29 July 2025
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On the field, for all the dazzling approach play, there was a lack of end product at times.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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