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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynosure
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
The setting had all the elements of a stirring, emotional clash: an underlying sense of betrayal, accusations of soulless greed, the prospect of transformative change and a popular, beloved figure trapped in the cynosure of the firestorm.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 16 June 2022
The Celtic cynosure in the 100-96 triumph, Tatum logged a team-best 26 points along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists while scoring 7 vital fourth-quarter points.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
While the Sackler family, which owned Purdue, attracted intense national attention and became a cynosure of criticism after the company’s introduction of its blockbuster pill OxyContin, the Mallinckrodt brand slipped under the radar.
—Washington Post, 10 May 2022
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
The setting had all the elements of a stirring, emotional clash: an underlying sense of betrayal, accusations of soulless greed, the prospect of transformative change and a popular, beloved figure trapped in the cynosure of the firestorm.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 16 June 2022
The Celtic cynosure in the 100-96 triumph, Tatum logged a team-best 26 points along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists while scoring 7 vital fourth-quarter points.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
While the Sackler family, which owned Purdue, attracted intense national attention and became a cynosure of criticism after the company’s introduction of its blockbuster pill OxyContin, the Mallinckrodt brand slipped under the radar.
—Washington Post, 10 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
Noun
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However, these trips weren’t undertaken with the aid of a compass, sextant, or even a map.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
-
That’s when values step in as your internal compass.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
While most campaigns historically focused on physical infrastructure, many now include less visible priorities: legal clinics, policy centers, and public interest litigation units.—
Michelle Mbekeani,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The spacious floor plan has a living room that’ll comfortably fit a couch, coffee table, entertainment center, and even a dining table for hosting.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Mahan has refused to back down, maintaining that making difficult decisions is necessary to steer San Jose in the right direction.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
-
Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The work would do well in Palm Springs, the mecca of all things mid-century modern.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Other common amenities include full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and oversized closets, large enough to store ski, snowboarding, and hiking gear, as this part of Wisconsin is a mecca for outdoor adventure.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2025
Noun
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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, legal, or cryptocurrency advice.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Inside were human skeletal remains which officials believe were deposited for ritual purposes before the site was abandoned, according to the release.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Hours earlier, explosions and anti-aircraft fire were heard throughout Kyiv as many sought shelter in subway stations as Russian drones and missiles targeted the Ukrainian capital overnight.—
ILLIA NOVIKOV,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
-
However, at the end of last year, the Islamist opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham burst out of its Idlib stronghold and, in coordination with other groups, swiftly advanced on the capital Damascus.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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But after Buckingham Palace’s stunning February 2024 announcement that the 76-year-old King was undergoing cancer treatment, the next chapter has come into sharper focus.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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But it is beautifully realized and broadly relatable, with a tight, humane focus on individual people’s ordinary hopes, dreams and fears, set against the backdrop of a particular moment in French social progress.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Noun
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This is a massive obstacle, as China is a major minerals processing hub.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
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Brian Trainer, who founded the Sacramento Spur Club in 2014, helped cement Zebra Club as a Tottenham fan hub.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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