1
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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2
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
as in luminous
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of luminary
Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Open for more than three decades, the dining room became quite the who’s who joint for downtown luminaries, with everyone from supermodels to celebrities to regular ol’ New Yorkers coming through its doors.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 June 2026
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
Noun
Some of the game’s luminaries, such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Coco Gauff, have backed Sabalenka’s stance.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Open for more than three decades, the dining room became quite the who’s who joint for downtown luminaries, with everyone from supermodels to celebrities to regular ol’ New Yorkers coming through its doors.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 June 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
-
The teenager is a team assistant and volunteer with big dreams of one day becoming a soccer star.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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The former child star was met by paramedics after landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, June 15, and was transported to a hospital.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Sammy Hagar, the former Van Halen vocalist, sat ringside as the premier celebrity guest.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
13 June 2026
-
Millions of Americans are currently injecting unapproved chemicals like peptides promoted by a hodgepodge of wellness influencers and celebrity podcasters.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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The cat-eye effect brings a rippling, water-like effect to the shade, made for you water signs who always feel most at home in something a little fluid, a little luminous, and just a bit magical.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
-
Having introduced that fiercely luminous piece in 2023, Dudamel brought it back in March, placing it on the second half of a concert that began with Beethoven’s Seventh.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Premiering June 26 in theaters and Imax, Supergirl sees Milly Alcock reprise her role as the titular superhero alter ego, Kara Zor-El, who celebrates her 23rd birthday while traveling across the galaxy with her dog Krypto.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
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Starlink operates a galaxy of 9,600 satellites, three-quarters of the total fleet in orbit.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Noun
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As the New York Knicks make their run through the NBA Finals, a wide range of celebrities have shown up to support the team, including model, entrepreneur and media personality Jordyn Woods, who is often spotted courtside alongside Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
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The Lesson Is Bigger Than Elon Strip away the personality and the takeaway outlasts the news cycle.—
Robert J. Szczerba,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Little to no moonlight can also help visibility, and Saturday night’s waning crescent will bring just that with the moon only being 3% illuminated.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Taking place at Del Mar Fairgrounds, this show will blend advanced drone choreography with the unforgettable music and iconic moments from the Harry Potter film series, featuring 1,200 illuminated drones soaring across the night sky.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Noun
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These memories of his brief, sad human life are uneasy dreams that Lestat wakes from on his tour bus as the sun sets over the road to Toledo.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
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The skyline can barely be seen as the sun is setting behind him.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
There doesn't appear to be a good reason the championship teams in 1970 and 1973 didn't get showered with confetti downtown, but plenty of other teams and foreign dignitaries have reveled in the glory since 1886, when the first ticker-tape parade was held in dedication of the Statue of Liberty.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
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It was not known what dignitaries were in the motorcade.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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