spotlight 1 of 2

noun

ˈspät-ˌlīt How to pronounce spotlight (audio)
Definition of spotlightnext
as in limelight
the center of public attention reality show contestants who become addicted to the spotlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spotlight

2 of 2

verb

as in to focus

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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 spotlight
Noun
Clark was responding to the comments Mitchell made Saturday during her exit interview and the challenges that of living life in such a glaring spotlight. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The wine pairings spotlight mostly natural bottles and are particularly good. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
That mural, and many others throughout Sacramento, were part of the Wide Open Walls initiative, whose mission was to spotlight diversity through the arts. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 And so Davis founded the Chicago Horror Film Festival at the 3 Penny Cinema in Lincoln Park, to spotlight Midwestern indie horror shorts. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlight
  1. limelight
  2. focus
  3. attention
  4. identify
Noun
  • Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista, 29, can count themselves among Hollywood’s most limelight-shy couples.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet somehow, the 469 square miles of New York City tend to hog all the limelight.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of limelight
Verb
  • The company is run by CEO Huh Kyubum, a former venture capitalist with Union Investment Partners who focused on investing in Korean content.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • So even the men who are in the Ulta Beauty C-suite are really focused on providing opportunities for growth for women in the organization.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • While the Cornell case has drawn significant attention and public support, survivors may respond differently.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mesh, lace, metallic studs, crochet and tie-dye competed for attention, while fitted party dresses and washed denim leaned heavily on familiar notions of off-duty rock-chick dressing.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Verb
  • After being asked to step out of the chair, a police dog identifies a tin of Altoids in the artist’s pocket.
    — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Sheriff’s officials said the detectives later identified Morales Garcia, Farfan Ambriz and Medina as suspects in the homicide and obtained arrest warrants for them.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of identify

Browse Nearby Words

spotlessness
spotlight
spotlighted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotlight. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spotlight

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spotlight

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