as in limelights
the center of public attention
reality show contestants who become addicted to the spotlight
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Recent Examples of spotlights
Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
There are road spotlights for Jalen Brunson, Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The winds send stage trusses collapsing in a tangle of steel and spotlights as firefighters race to rescue fans and production crew members trapped.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
The new charm drop spotlights Tyla’s deepening collaborative presence with Pandora.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Occasionally, while operating spotlights, a figure would break the light beam for a moment and then disappear.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
These solar spotlights can be either staked in the ground or mounted on the wall, giving you tons of placement flexibility.
—Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Devised by the renowned team behind the Buenos Aires cocktail bar Tres Monos, the cocktail list spotlights pisco and sake.
—Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
The vibe at Terrace, which has both indoor and outdoor seating and spotlights Italian fare, feels a touch more formal.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
There are road spotlights for Jalen Brunson, Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The winds send stage trusses collapsing in a tangle of steel and spotlights as firefighters race to rescue fans and production crew members trapped.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
The new charm drop spotlights Tyla’s deepening collaborative presence with Pandora.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Occasionally, while operating spotlights, a figure would break the light beam for a moment and then disappear.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
These solar spotlights can be either staked in the ground or mounted on the wall, giving you tons of placement flexibility.
—Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Devised by the renowned team behind the Buenos Aires cocktail bar Tres Monos, the cocktail list spotlights pisco and sake.
—Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlights
Verb
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Earlier this month, Hims & Hers Health launched a new specialty in women’s health that focuses on treatment plans for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.—
Ian Thomas,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
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Bearfoot Bistro focuses on fish and game, too, with experiences like drinks in Grey Goose’s Ice Room, front row seats at the chef’s table, or dinner in the wine cellar.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As kobolds go, Heinzelmann was more harmless than most, going about his business protecting the castle from giants and dwarves and keeping the staff updated on faerie gossip, as well as protecting the chambermaids from unwelcome attentions from visiting noblemen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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The rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs captured NBA fans’ attentions in the 2000s with both team led by superstars, one an American phenom who starred in the ACC in college and the other a European wunderkind revolutionizing the game.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Use Natural Materials A natural stone wall-mount sink in a bathroom highlights the use of earthy materials.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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The plea—legally impossible but symbolically potent—highlights the limits of judicial authority over prison placements, the strain of the mental health crises inside the federal system, and the uneasy intersection between acts of political violence and debates about personal autonomy at life’s end.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After Martin, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, discussed their childhood friend's experience, Barrymore detailed her own time in rehab.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The graphic above also identifies the end of last season as another period when Liverpool fell below par.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The home features a walkout basement with a movie theater, spa, custom workout room and sunken golf simulator, Heffernan said.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The first episode, which Andy directed, features three special effects-heavy sequences of monstrous incarnations attacking children.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Martin pinpoints a crucial scene just over halfway through the season.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
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The app also pinpoints nearby clinics, increasing awareness for women who may not have otherwise known about them.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotlights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotlights. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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