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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of luminary
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Built in 1870, the hotel has hosted luminaries like Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2025
But since Trump took office, CISA has lost the three technical luminaries who oversaw that work: Jack Cable, Aeva Black, and Tim Pepper.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
The segment also honored such behind-the-camera luminaries as directors David Lynch and Norman Jewison, writer-director Robert Towne and producers Roger Corman and Albert S. Ruddy.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
Another feature of Trump's Oval Office is the gold picture frames, which contain portraits of former presidents and American luminaries, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Andrew Jackson.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Built in 1870, the hotel has hosted luminaries like Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2025
But since Trump took office, CISA has lost the three technical luminaries who oversaw that work: Jack Cable, Aeva Black, and Tim Pepper.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
The segment also honored such behind-the-camera luminaries as directors David Lynch and Norman Jewison, writer-director Robert Towne and producers Roger Corman and Albert S. Ruddy.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
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How to see the Lyrids The meteors seem to emerge – or radiate – from the constellation Lyra, specifically a bright star named Vega, according to astronomers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Now, last month, there was another star of the big screen in the ring, coaxing Cena to go over to the dark side.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Before and after the trip, other female celebrities, like Olivia Munn, Jessica Chastain, Olivia Wilde, Emily Ratajkowski, blasted the feminist P.R. spin.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Typical celebrity riders make demands related to an actor’s comfort — such as a swank trailer, high-quality food and luxurious accommodations and transportation.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Second, there was a time, within the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang, before stars and galaxies had even formed.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Apr. 2025
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Humans have given only a handful of these galaxies catchy nicknames.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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López Obrador dealt with this mainly through force of personality.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Dunn is one of the best point-of-attack defending guards in the NBA, and his quickness, long arms and surly personality on the floor gave Murray issues.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The River Walk at night is always luminous, but this parade makes an evening on the river extra magical.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The cushion covers are removable and easy to clean, while the all-weather wicker can withstand the elements and won’t fade from the sun.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Water only as needed when the surface soil begins to dry and keep the plant in shade to filtered sun away from downspouts.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The British royals touched down in Rome, greeted by dignitaries and representatives from Italy’s governing body.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2025
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In addition to Eminem, sports dignitaries from Detroit rounding out the group include former NBA star Grant Hill, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, General Motors CEO Mary Barra and more, according to the publication.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Come for breakfast or a light lunch and stay for their dazzling cheese selection—over 150 varieties served with the kind of attention to detail that makes even a simple sandwich feel sublime.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
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The movie, a dazzling retelling of a mythic boy-god, has grossed an astonishing US$2 billion worldwide, outperforming many Hollywood releases.—
Shaoyu Yuan,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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