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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of luminary
Ben Jureidini, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is celebrating 10 years of cutting-edge gravitational wave science by confirming predictions made by physics luminaries Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Roy Kerr — and potentially revealing a path toward a theory of quantum gravity.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
Her royal debut during the royal reception for the most luminary names in Balearic society on Monday evening.
—Ben Jureidini, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Gushing comments below his post came from a range of luminaries, from Naomi Campbell to Salman Rushdie.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is celebrating 10 years of cutting-edge gravitational wave science by confirming predictions made by physics luminaries Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Roy Kerr — and potentially revealing a path toward a theory of quantum gravity.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
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At the end of their week, campers get a chance to perform their band’s songs live with the stars.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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In general, teams that acquire a star player do better in the short term than the team getting multiple role players and draft picks in exchange for one top-level asset.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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They were joined by a host of celebrities in their most glamorous outfits of the season so far, from Demi Moore in full black sequin via Gucci and Dakota Johnson in a very, very naked Gucci dress.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
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The season 34 celebrities on DWTS include Jen Affleck (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives), author and influencer Hilaria Baldwin, reality TV star Dylan Efron and actor/musician Corey Feldman.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If not, then a spin or two around the galaxy later, and the sun will have grown bright enough, and the water cycle amplified enough as a result, that ramped up rock weathering will draw carbon dioxide so low that even grasses can’t hold on.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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To be so bright, a galaxy would have to be loaded with stars at an impossible density.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So the personalities are different but the core motivations and attributes are there for all naval aviators.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The lightweight formula glides on with a refreshing tingle, then rinses away to reveal skin that feels softer, smoother, and more luminous.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Sep. 2025
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The nongreasy formula also delivers a luminous, glowy finish that even shoppers in their 80s can attest to.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Renewables are intermittent, though—the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow.—
Michaila Byrne,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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As the sun rises behind the ELT, the image stands for the dawning of a new era in astronomical discovery.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Beneath the canopy of a giant Ethiopian flag, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed a crowd of dignitaries including the presidents of Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Fireworks lit up the sky the night before the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was officially opened, and dancers dressed as engineers in hardhats performed at the colorful daytime ceremony attended by African dignitaries.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At the heart of the park is another immersive extravaganza as footage of seascapes and schools of fish swirls dizzyingly around one of the world’s biggest wraparound screens whilst drones which look like illuminated jellyfish fill the air.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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LEDs replace chrome, and there's a new take on BMW's usual four headlights, although the illuminated kidney grill is an option, not mandatory.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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