LIMELIGHT Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

limelight

noun

ˈlīm-ˌlīt

Definition of limelight

as in spotlight

the center of public attention an actress who discovered that the limelight was not such a glowing experience when her privacy was invaded

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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 limelight Following a very public and increasingly acrimonious falling out with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of chemicals giant INEOS who bankrolled Ainslie’s two previous Cup campaigns, this is a level of limelight Ainslie could do without. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Kristen’s husband’s life was full of glamour and limelight, whereas her life was all behind the scenes. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Clearly, Samsung is prioritising keeping its flagship as competitively priced as possible (and perhaps trying to steal a bit of the WWDC limelight this week) despite battling rising manufacturing costs. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Special occasions celebrators, romantic weekenders, limelight-shunning VIPs, and families who want to be by the water can all be found lounging around the resort. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for limelight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for limelight

Noun

Accordingly, her tenure drew an intense spotlight, including her decision to take a short maternity leave.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The award marks a return to the Busan spotlight for Lee, whose debut feature, The Shoe Fairy, screened in the festival’s New Currents section in 2005.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of spotlight

Noun

Amalia Ulman’s 2025 film Magic Farm, about an American team’s desperation to manufacture a viral trend in rural Argentina, is minor cringe for its pleasurable skewering of the attention economy.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
No one was standing over my shoulder telling me to pay it special attention, but I was mesmerized.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of attention

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lime-juicers

limelight

limelights

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Style

“Limelight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/limelight. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of limelight

noun

Example Sentences

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