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

Trump’s close ties to sports luminaries have helped him on the campaign trail and are paying off this summer, with the Senate scheduled for its first votes on the bill next month. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Jamison also didn’t put anyone who played before 1974 on his team, leaving out older luminaries like Charlie Scott, Bobby Jones, Walter Davis, Bob McAdoo, Billy Cunningham and Lennie Rosenbluth. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 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

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, every living president, Jane Fonda, and countless more have all mourned the beloved star.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
The late star had also been a co-owner of Sandollar Productions alongside her former manager, Sandy Gallin, which produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Father of the Bride and Sabrina, among others.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of star

Noun

Ramon Hervey helped engineer the careers of many celebrities.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Following Parton’s death, numerous celebrities took to social media to share tributes honoring Parton, many of whom include musicians and actors who had worked with Parton before.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of celebrity

Adjective

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Armani Beauty updated the formula for mature skin, infusing it with skincare ingredients that help to keep complexions luminous and plump during wear.

— Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
At the same time, the drops have suspended pigments that melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, creating a more even skin tone with a natural, slightly luminous finish.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of luminous

Noun

The observatory's mission is to investigate dark energy, study galaxy formation and discover new exoplanets.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
The state of any object, from an electron to a galaxy, can be captured by such a vector, pointing in some direction through such a Hilbert space.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of galaxy

Noun

Of course, Sophie-Rose and her friend Garrett (social-media personality Jake Shane) have no reason to care about Billie at all.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The media personality recently shared an Instagram Reel promoting her podcast interview with author Virginia Evans (The Correspondent) while wearing a striped button-up blouse.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of personality

Adjective

Bakos said the overall effect of the mirrors would depend on the reflectiveness of the illuminated surface and the cloudiness of the sky.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The energy was later brought back up, getting fans back on their feet, when Karol G and her dancers started making their way to the illuminated stone pool on the B-stage.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of illuminated

Noun

Typically around two weeks later, when the moon is on the other side of Earth from the sun, lunar eclipses occur during the full moon phase.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
The early phases likely won’t be visible, as the sun may still be out and the eclipse may be below the horizon.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sun

Browse Nearby Words

luminaries

luminary

luminesce

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“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of luminary

noun

adjective

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