spotlight 1 of 2

noun

ˈspät-ˌlīt How to pronounce spotlight (audio)
Definition of spotlightnext
as in limelight
the center of public attention reality show contestants who become addicted to the spotlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spotlight

2 of 2

verb

as in to focus

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 spotlight
Noun
Advertisement Although the men’s role reversal remains the dominant drama, the shakeup also puts a new spotlight on the women, who are reassigned to an all-female shift. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 That's put a spotlight on CoreWeave's financials and its ability to remain viable. — Seema Mody, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Some episodes put recognizable names and faces in the guest seat, but many spotlight the unseen creatives behind the scenes. — Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026 This year your motto is ‘An Eye for It,’ to spotlight your unique cultural curation remit. — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlight
  1. limelight
  2. focus
  3. attention
  4. identify
Noun
  • Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista, 29, can count themselves among Hollywood’s most limelight-shy couples.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet somehow, the 469 square miles of New York City tend to hog all the limelight.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of limelight
Verb
  • The Sun enters your 11th House, beginning a month focused on friends, communities, collaborations, networks, and your longer-term hopes.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Anduril’s technology will focus on equipment worn by the animals, not genetic modifications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • If they really can’t be bothered to show some respect then we shouldn’t be bothered enough to give them our attention and money.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Verb
  • Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • About 42% of residents surveyed identified mental health as a top health challenge, and Gaston’s suicide rate also exceeds the state average.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of identify

Browse Nearby Words

spotlessness
spotlight
spotlighted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on spotlight

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spotlight

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All