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 luminous
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of luminary
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
Peterson The foremost University of Wyoming luminary in attendance today scores a TD.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025
Among the notable new names set to walk the halls of the ennui-addled series are Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, YouTube icon Trisha Paytas, True Blood star Sam Trammell, and Till luminary Danielle Deadwyler.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
Valentino Garavani, the Italian luminary whose glamorous designs defined decades of fashion, died at his home in Rome, his foundation announced on Monday.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
Peterson The foremost University of Wyoming luminary in attendance today scores a TD.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
Among the notable new names set to walk the halls of the ennui-addled series are Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, YouTube icon Trisha Paytas, True Blood star Sam Trammell, and Till luminary Danielle Deadwyler.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
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Popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz departed in free agency, but the Mets signed closer Devin Williams, reliever Luke Weaver and infielder Jorge Polanco.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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The song reflected growing up with little in Sevierville, Tennessee and life in the Appalachian area, something that was important to Parton to incorporate into her story as her star rose.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The annual Davos gathering of political leaders, top executives and celebrities runs from January 20 to 24.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2026
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As viewers at home debate which celebrity contestant has the best strategy, the streamer has released a statement reminding audiences to be kind.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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All night, the fog had stubbornly hidden the stars in the dark, impenetrable sky, but now the sliver of light widened little by little into a luminous band, a hazy phosphorescence that slowly spread and took over.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Additions include Whisper, a fabric blending organic cotton and mulberry silk, introducing a luminous texture for fine knitwear, and Feel Flex, which incorporates recycled elastic components.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Scientists aren’t entirely sure how these beating hearts at the centers of most large galaxies formed.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
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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,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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It was once said, for instance, that Disney’s cast members — staff, in park parlance — would be able to recognize if someone’s personality leaned resistance, First Order or rogue.—
Todd Martens,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Airport crews began removing the 15 illuminated pylons from the entrance of Los Angeles International Airport last week as part of a plan to ease traffic congestion ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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After prepping the skin, try using a glowy primer to give the skin a lightly illuminated look.—
Essence,
Essence,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some plants, like woodland spring ephemerals, have adapted to bloom before larger trees leaf out and block the sun.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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By that time in the afternoon, the sun was already behind the mountain ridges and dropping fast.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The state funeral was to be held the next day, and while everyone else would write about the ceremonies, the dignitaries attending, and the circumstances that led to the monumentally somber occasion, Breslin decided to tell a different story.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The killing also led the National Police Agency to increase police protection of dignitaries.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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