LUMINARY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

luminary 1 of 2

noun

ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē

Definition of luminary

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

Relevance

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

luminary

2 of 2

adjective

as in luminous

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 luminary

Noun

His art often featured jazz luminaries, boxers, and other figures along with graffiti-like words. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Julia’s War helped launch the careers of indie luminaries like Wednesday and Feeble Little Horse, and their rolodex currently boasts promising up-and-comers like Cashier and MX Lonely. — Abby Jones, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 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

Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
The former Cowboys star motioned to the drivers of the vehicles to tell them to slow down, and that’s when the dispute began.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of star

Noun

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is suing an animal rescue organization that was once a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, alleging that its owner purchased dogs from puppy mills and portrayed them to adopters as animals that were rescued.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Above Average is billed as an irreverent look at celebrity culture, corporate power and society’s obsession with being exceptional.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrity

Adjective

This sort of event is also seen in the super-luminous supernova population.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of luminous

Noun

Not just a rock star but an entire galaxy unto himself, Bowie became a singular force in glam rock, electronic and ambient sounds, dance pop, art rock, and gender-bending fashion.

— Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
After the initial blast, which spews out gamma rays, a storm of radiation pours into the surrounding galaxy, creating a ferocious afterglow that burns in every part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of galaxy

Noun

Behind the scenes, Chicago historian and media personality Studs Terkel played an integral role, acting as a guide for Mitchell.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Behind the scenes, Muse uses a collection of digital notes and instructions to guide its personality, actions and memory, all of which can be reviewed, edited and deleted.

— Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of personality

Noun

Yarbrough, who died at age 76 on Saturday, would be stationed at the table throughout the GHSA playoffs, sometimes welcoming guests and dignitaries and otherwise answering questions and solving problems.

— Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Kathleen Kennedy, who served as the president of Lucasfilm from 2012 to 2026, helped organize a group of industry dignitaries to put together a framework for how Hollywood should talk about it.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignitary

Browse Nearby Words

luminaries

luminary

luminesce

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of luminary

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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