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
Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
This show had smoke, roaming spotlights, strobe lights, hologram lights, shadows and live video recordings, spread across four acts, three stages and nearly two hours.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Her episodes will include performances, discussions with women in entertainment, and spotlights on people who are positively changing their communities.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
That was especially true at Dennis Basso, where brocade dresses were displayed underneath spotlights at the Columbus Citizen foundation, feeling right at home in the Gilded Age mansion’s foyer.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Permanent and temporary exhibitions delve into the art of moviemaking, director spotlights, avant-garde filmmakers, and other aspects of the filmmaking world.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
The difference between the two is one began his journey far from Montreal, and the other began it under the hottest of spotlights.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Black History Month, observed annually in February, spotlights influential Black individuals and their contributions to the country.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearly all other exterior spotlights were turned off on April 18, shining only two beams of light symbolizing the warning lanterns that sent Revere and William Dawes on a mission to declare the British were coming.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
Lumen Awards Casa Del Mar Hotel The second annual ceremony spotlights filmmakers and changemakers having a real impact through their work, with honorees including Lilly director Rachel Feldman and Chief of War showrunner Doug Jung.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
This show had smoke, roaming spotlights, strobe lights, hologram lights, shadows and live video recordings, spread across four acts, three stages and nearly two hours.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Her episodes will include performances, discussions with women in entertainment, and spotlights on people who are positively changing their communities.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
That was especially true at Dennis Basso, where brocade dresses were displayed underneath spotlights at the Columbus Citizen foundation, feeling right at home in the Gilded Age mansion’s foyer.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Permanent and temporary exhibitions delve into the art of moviemaking, director spotlights, avant-garde filmmakers, and other aspects of the filmmaking world.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
The difference between the two is one began his journey far from Montreal, and the other began it under the hottest of spotlights.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Black History Month, observed annually in February, spotlights influential Black individuals and their contributions to the country.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearly all other exterior spotlights were turned off on April 18, shining only two beams of light symbolizing the warning lanterns that sent Revere and William Dawes on a mission to declare the British were coming.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlights
Verb
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The program focuses on opening its hardware interfaces to third-party tool and component manufacturers, allowing different tools to be easily connected and used within a plug-and-play industrial ecosystem.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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The standalone project started in 2023 and focuses on rebuilding the interchange at I-35E and FM 1171.—
Hedija Spahalic,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Documenting her and her fellow volunteers’ attentions, the book is an ode to the kind of careful, patient natural history that contemporary science practiced at its increasingly rapid pace does not encourage as much anymore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
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Both squads now turn attentions to their respective Summit League Championship tournaments this coming week.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Charles Wylie, the museum’s curator of photography, says the exhibit highlights the centrality of the Black experience in American history, from the tragedies to the mundaneness of family life.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Parks Department created an interactive map that highlights all wildflower blooms in the state right now.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine identifies gait as neuromotor training — a key component of overall fitness because of its role in supporting functional movement and lowering injury risk.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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The test, which also analyzes data such as weight, height, last menstrual period, and hormone levels, identifies patterns and predicts outcomes that a standard blood test cannot.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The small villa, ideal for a duo, features a living room-balcony hybrid where trailing greenery frames views of the water.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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The retailer’s sale & clearance section features open-box deals on items that have been purchased, opened, and then returned.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Smith correctly pinpoints the inception of consumer-grade technology and the rise of punk rock in New York as reasons for public access’ cult-like success.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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Martin pinpoints a crucial scene just over halfway through the season.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotlights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotlights. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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