1
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
2
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
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
Robert Lang, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
This year's cast also features a handful of other reality luminaries — Dancing With the Stars' Mark Ballas and Top Chef's Kristen Kish — and a motley assortment of actors (Stephen Colletti, Michael Rapaport), Olympic figure skaters (Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski), and drag queens (Monét X Change).
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025
Among the notable new names set to walk the halls of the ennui-addled series are Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, YouTube icon Trisha Paytas, True Blood star Sam Trammell, and Till luminary Danielle Deadwyler.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luminary
Noun
This account is far from a dry recitation; it is filled with Hujar’s observations, honest self-assessments, and amusing dollops of gossip involving a wide circle of 1970s cultural luminaries.
—Adjective
A lot of neighborhoods have luminary traditions that involve lining DIY paper lanterns along the streets and pathways.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for luminary
Noun
-
The White Lotus breakout star and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television, Aimee Lou Wood, held hands with her beau Adam Long.—
-
Kittle is one of many 49ers stars to be injured this season and unable finish the biggest game of the season.—
Noun
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
-
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Adjective
-
In the late afternoon light, the forest leaves were luminous.—
-
If luminous primers weren’t your jam either, let this be your sign to finally give this one a try.—
Noun
-
By fictionalizing him as a real spaceman visiting new galaxies in each era of his career, Cordell brings young readers into the magic and wonder of Bowie’s life.—
-
Several sessions will showcase new results from surveys that combine data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, offering fresh insights into how galaxies formed and evolved in the early universe.—
Noun
-
Over the course of his life, Reagan worked as a clothing salesman, actor, radio personality, author, and political commentator.—
-
But his personality is different.—
Adjective
-
Key features of the self-standing stick vacuum are the tangle-free illuminated head, three suction levels, and multiple attachments like the upholstery tool for streamlined cleaning.—
-
The illuminated blueberry, a longtime symbol of the town's identity, will be lowered at midnight outside Town Hall as part of a celebration that begins earlier in the evening with live music and fireworks.—
Noun
-
Some plants, like woodland spring ephemerals, have adapted to bloom before larger trees leaf out and block the sun.—
-
By that time in the afternoon, the sun was already behind the mountain ridges and dropping fast.—
Noun
-
At the dedication ceremony, family, friends, dignitaries and residents gathered to honor Saul’s generosity.—
-
Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis have been the most visible Canes dignitaries patrolling the sideline this Playoff.—
Cite this Entry
“Luminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/luminary. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share