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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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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When loggerheads are exposed to radiofrequency, or RF, waves — the same type of radiation emitted by devices such as mobile phones and radio transmitters — their magnetic map remains stable, while their compass is disrupted.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
12 Feb. 2025
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This would help determine latitude in the case of a compass.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The center, founded by MarySue Lindsay, a teacher and principal for 20 years, will start its standard hours and operations Tuesday, Feb. 18.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Most garden centers sell succulent or cactus potting mix blends.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The refiners are given very unconventional directions to the cave.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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Only a less delusional motivation, a larger conception of self-interest, can move the world in a less delusional direction.—
Winslow Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But how did stars such as A$AP Rocky and Pharrell stumble upon the store, especially given Tokyo is a mecca for vintage?—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks, one of the state’s most iconic mountain biking areas, is also a mecca for winter pedaling.—
Shauna Farnell,
The Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The purpose is to drive economic diversity in Las Vegas, traditionally a town focused on a single industry: hospitality.—
Melinda Sheckells,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
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But that doesn’t seem to be the purpose of the record, which leans more heavily into fan service — a treat for those who’ve stayed loyal (or at least neutral) as Drake suffered the past year’s cavalcade of embarrassments.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Commissioned by the Kosovo authorities for the country's capital Pristina, the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Kosovo is being created in collaboration with local studio ALB-Architect and will measure 42,395 sq m (456,403 sq ft).—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2025
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov will fly to the Saudi capital later in the day.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Keeping the focus on historically underserved communities in the mortgage market is an apt way to observe Black History Month, Neal thinks.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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According to Sharpe, the focus for this pivotal 2025 season for Steffen and the club, especially with a 2026 World Cup roster spot on the line, is to find more consistency.—
Braidon Nourse,
The Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Chennai, the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, is one of India's largest cities and a major cultural and economic hub.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Tariffs and trade too The three-day Munich conference was a hub of crisscrossing diplomacy on issues of politics, economics, and defense and security, with top envoys on hand from places as diverse as Syria and Saudi Arabia, and Japan and South Korea, as well as many European leaders.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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