cynosure

noun

ˈsī-nə-ˌshu̇r How to pronounce cynosure (audio)
Definition of cynosurenext
1
as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle with an unwavering commitment to equal rights for all as his only cynosure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest that company is the cynosure for anyone wishing to make it in the music business

Synonyms & Similar 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 cynosure The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity. — JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 From these beginnings, the Voice grew into a cynosure of the counterculture. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The film’s screenplay, co-written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki, finds its metaphoric cynosure in the Japanese concept of komorebi, which describes the play of light and shadow through the leaves of a tree, every shimmering moment unique. — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023 Past the age of fifty, the supple cynosure of the salons turned into something of a tottering wreck. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 MotoGP is the cynosure for those drawn to the heady blend of terror and enticement that defines the quest to go mind-numbingly fast. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023 As their cynosure, Ernestine herself remains a cipher, full of portentous sayings but little real thought. — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2022 It will be called the Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
  1. compass
  2. center
  3. direction
  4. mecca
  5. purpose
  6. capital
  7. focus
  8. hub
Noun
  • From brand to content, quality as a compass Which still meant for Haylaz crafting quality content, based on impactful characters kids could relate to.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Can this compass take you to the Olive Garden in Times Square?
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Still, if the new CBS is managing to hold the center in Washington, there’s been a far more dramatic shift in coverage of Israel and Gaza.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • No other age bracket recorded a change in median net worth larger than 6% in either direction, according to Maggiulli, writing in his blog, Of Dollars and Data.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.
    — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Food meccas include Pier 57 (hit Nom Wah for legendary dim sum, or LoLo’s on the Water for the fish fry) and, of course, Chelsea Market (try Miznon’s pita cheeseburger and roasted cauliflower, and Ayada’s mango sticky rice).
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rubin’s face followed a skin-first technique beloved by the wider beauty mecca for the last few years.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of mecca
Noun
  • Combined with its co-founders' pledge to donate 80% of their equity and an employee donation matching program, roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares will be dedicated to public purposes, excluding any additional shares added later.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Future deployments Placing the geothermal plant on top of a natural hydrothermal vent was a one-time test for purely research and demonstration purposes, Redd said.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • While the company is a private-sector operator, it is backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and International Holding Company, which is affiliated with state capital.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with the Ukrainian president in Norway's capital.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • Photographed and directed by Gabriel Moses, the campaign brings each icon into sharp focus, placing them at the center of a crowd as a powerful expression of individuality.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The focus was how AI can be integrated and optimize the existing business – rather than presentation of noisy (and controversial) slates of AI TV shows and movies.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Culver City explored emergency moratoriums on building permits for AV fleet facilities, while Santa Monica used local noise and traffic ordinances to restrict 24-hour charging hubs.
    — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Those improvements are expected to expand classroom and theater space and create a more centralized hub for students.
    — Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of hub

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cynics
cynosure
cynosures
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Cite this Entry

“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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