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
Relevance
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
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 luminary
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
Soccer and Southern luminaries from all over the world are expected.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
The center has historically honored luminaries from music, theater, film and TV.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
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
Soccer and Southern luminaries from all over the world are expected.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
The center has historically honored luminaries from music, theater, film and TV.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
-
It was supposed to be a fun night out at the movies for Barbara and Patricia Grimes, who ventured out from their Chicago-area home on Dec. 28, 1956, to see Elvis Presley star in a new film.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The message is clear, from designers, brands, fashion media, and celebrities alike: America’s mall brands are next up.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2025
-
And Adidas, Puma and even Reebok are also doubling down on their attempts to lure women, partnering with WNBA stars and other athletes and celebrities popular with females.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The galaxy resides in a dense region of space where galaxy number densities are more than ten times higher than the cosmic average.—
Larissa G. Capella,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Not to mention, there’s a good dose of nostalgia thanks to a couple of pinball machines as well as an old-school Zoltar fortune-telling machine. Closer to our house, the East Brainerd location has a lot of the same decor but still manages to have a personality all its own.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
-
According to his website, Greenspan, an author, television personality, and co-founder of New School American Cheese, has received recognition for his work since the early 2000s.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That Del Toro juxtaposed luminous elements fit for a fairy tale with unflinching violence prompted an epiphany for Ezban.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2025
-
For the show, the Symphony of Flowers, the operator would install at Huntington Central Park more than 100,000 luminous flowers totaling 500,000 LED lights that are choreographed to accompany classical music played over speakers.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Bring a blanket and pillow to snuggle up with if the weather's chilly, or kick off your shoes and take a nap in the sun on a warm afternoon.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Faith loved her own space but took a liking to her habitat mates, Charlie and Tracy, and indulged in the simple pleasures like pumpkins, soaking in the sun and swimming on warmer days, officials said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Local dignitaries had much to celebrate during a Thursday gathering at Sutter Health Park, from the Athletics’ impending, three-year stint in West Sacramento to a slew of upgrades at the stadium.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
One year and a few hours after an iconic piece of the Baltimore skyline disappeared in moments, Maryland dignitaries spoke in front of the remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Subscribe to continue reading this article.—
Sam Janesch,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Also strutting her stuff is the dazzling Jayme Lawson as Pearline, a local woman unleashed by the excitement of Club Juke.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The 76-minute episode is essentially a tight feature film, starring the dazzling ensemble of Cristin Milioti, Jesse Plemons, Jimmi Simpson, Michaela Coel, Billy Magnussen, and more.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share