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 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 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 It will be called the Cynosure | Checketts Sports Capital Fund. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynosure
  1. compass
  2. center
  3. direction
  4. mecca
  5. purpose
  6. capital
  7. focus
  8. hub
Noun
  • The emotional compass of the United Farm Workers of America for decades, the petite mother of 14 attained singular stature as a rule-breaking proto-feminist, godmother of the Chicano power movement and doyenne of American labor.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Agent 12, for example, spent most of its time forming shapes such as a compass or a clock, and figures such as a butterfly or a sailboat.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the deadlock, Hinson is making her own play for the center.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • Brennan said his letter was based on direction offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Reversing the voltage’s polarity reversed the direction of rotation.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • But in the eight years since that location opened its doors, the brand has grown, and the mall has evolved from small art galleries into a vintage mecca.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Food meccas include Pier 57 (hit Nom Wah for legendary dim sum, or LoLo’s on the Water for the fish fry) and, of course, Chelsea Market (try Miznon’s pita cheeseburger and roasted cauliflower, and Ayada’s mango sticky rice).
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mecca
Noun
  • Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Alaska Airlines, Boise Airport’s main flight provider, will soon launch nonstop service from Idaho’s capital city to Santa Rosa, California.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The country's upper house of parliament voted last month to require UBS to hold 90% of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital, or about $16 billion in extra shares, as collateral to support its foreign subsidiaries.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • Much like the brand, which leans toward natural fibers and emphasizes sustainability, the focus here is on the surrounding sea and forest.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The issue of compounding safety became a greater focus for the FDA after a deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis in 2012 was linked to contaminated injections from a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • As the storm moved eastward into continental Europe, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport warned travelers of cancellations and delays of flights to and from the busy aviation hub caused by strong winds that were battering the Netherlands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • As emerging economies and coastal hubs face growing power shortfalls, modular floating plants offer a way to secure grid capacity while keeping the door open to future hydrogen adoption.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hub

Browse Nearby Words

cynics
cynosure
cynosures
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Cite this Entry

“Cynosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynosure. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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