cynosure

noun

ˈsī-nə-ˌshu̇r How to pronounce cynosure (audio)
Definition of cynosurenext
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

Synonyms & Similar 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 cynosure 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 From these beginnings, the Voice grew into a cynosure of the counterculture. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 It will be called the Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019 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 former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity. — JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
  1. compass
  2. center
  3. direction
  4. mecca
  5. purpose
  6. capital
  7. focus
  8. hub
Noun
  • Atop the Go board there lies a compass whose dials swing chaotically.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The Ti-Trailblazer takes a unique approach by making a compass its main feature and building 10 additional tools around it.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Neto bobbled the ball for an error, though, and Contreras crushed Johnson’s next pitch for his 20th homer, a 446-foot shot to left-center that left his bat at 112 mph and gave Boston a 5-3 lead.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The incident happened less than a week after another child was found dead inside a car at a Plantation early learning center last Monday.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The 2026 Honor Marching Band and Color Guard, under the direction of Boise State professor Phil Hartman, filled the air with festive tunes in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 4 July 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • As one of the darkest spots in the lower 48, Grand Staircase-​Escalante is also a mecca for stargazers, with much of its acreage ranked as Bortle Class 1—​​meaning that on clear nights the Milky Way is bright enough to cast noticeable shadows and even appears to have three dimensions.
    — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • Catawba County, along with other parts of North Carolina, have become a mecca for data center construction as demand for AI tools has increased.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026
Definition of mecca
Noun
  • There were other reminders as well, some less subtle than others, of the true purpose of Congress.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 2 July 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The fund will give Arada a new source of capital to fund its ambitions at a time when lenders and investors have become more cautious about Gulf real estate in the wake of the Iran war.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 July 2026
  • That capital is now tied down rather than being deployed for investment or expansion.
    — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • More Freedom 250 controversy Freedom 250 has been the focus of other controversy over funding transparency and religious representations.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • In Appalachia, a regional style of song emerged that transformed the narrative focus of British ballads into shorter lyric folk songs suitable for presentation on commercial recordings.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Shenzhen already has a reputation as one of China's major technology hubs.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Deep Light is, of course, not the only hub for cinematographers and aspiring cinematographers online.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 July 2026
Definition of hub

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cynics
cynosure
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Cite this Entry

“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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