LUMINARY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

luminary 1 of 2

noun

ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē

Definition of luminary

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

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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

luminary

2 of 2

adjective

as in luminous

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 luminary

Noun

Saint appeared in films directed by luminaries such as Otto Preminger, Norman Jewison, and John Frankenheimer. — Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 During the festival, honorary awards were presented to Julianne Moore, Tom Hiddleston, Naomi Watts, John Turturro and other luminaries. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Adjective

All three bars take their places alongside other luminary bars in the Bay Area, Southern California, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix and Maui. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026 A lot of neighborhoods have luminary traditions that involve lining DIY paper lanterns along the streets and pathways. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luminary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary

Noun

Longies, which make up the majority of GRBs, are associated with collapsing supermassive stars, whereas shorties are linked to crashes between two neutron stars.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The Oscar-winning actress and former child star, who had a stroke in 2020, shared a rare photo of herself Friday on social media.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of star

Noun

The power and presumptive veracity of celebrity statements and/or accusations; 2.

— Janelle Ash , Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Here's how style experts and celebrities style the brown boots trend for fall, starting with timeless pairings and making our way up to trickier combos.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrity

Adjective

There are other niceties too, like room for luminous tritium vials on a spinning module that should delight eager fidgeters, and the SceptriX's ability to strike up a spark with a separate ferro rod and light a fire.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Then a toner or essence can keep the skin luminous and smooth and allow active ingredients to work harder.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of luminous

Noun

These explosions, known as hypernovas, were first proposed to explain unusual stars in the halo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and in a neighboring dwarf galaxy.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
That all three gossamer galaxies existed along a line, as neighbors, didn’t escape the attention of astrophysicists, who began to coalesce around an origin story.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of galaxy

Noun

There’s the menagerie of found object ephemera that provides a sense of intimacy and personality (look for the wild bit of art hanging in the spa entrance).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Piane’s compositions provided a foundation for contestants to showcase their personalities, give memorable performances and embrace the camp and theatricality that became hallmarks of the franchise.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of personality

Adjective

The new building measures about 50% larger than the two old terminals combined, with higher ceilings and a pair of illuminated steel sculptures by Cliff Garten flanking the main entrance.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
After sunset, the performances will continue with illuminated parachute displays, aerobatics and additional aircraft.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of illuminated

Noun

These compounds quickly destroy the stratospheric ozone, the gas that filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Ways to help control electricity use To control electricity use in the heat, the DWP recommends setting air conditioners to 78 degrees, closing curtains during peak sun hours and using fans to circulate air.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sun

Noun

Kathleen Kennedy, who served as the president of Lucasfilm from 2012 to 2026, helped organize a group of industry dignitaries to put together a framework for how Hollywood should talk about it.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
By the late 1800s, the resort was a favorite destination for US Presidents (23 presidents have visited the property), foreign dignitaries and global business leaders.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignitary

Browse Nearby Words

luminaries

luminary

luminesce

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

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Synonyms of luminary

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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