as in stars
the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show
a headliner on variety shows in the early days of TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of headliners
In just a few years, she’s gone from viral breakout to one of country’s most dependable young headliners.
—
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The headliners, sports stars, A-list personalities and, of course, the influencers have begun to descend on the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mariah Carey is also already in the city as one of the main headliners of the opening ceremony.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
The pregame media session revealed some details about Bad Bunny’s performance, but headliners often keep a few secrets.
—Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
And also Super Bowl headliners.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The Field of Dreams Movie Site announced last November that country star Carrie Underwood and rock bands Shinedown and Creed will serve as headliners for the second edition of the multiday festival.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Innings Festival The Innings Festival 2026 will bring headliners Blink-182, Twenty One Pilots and Mumford & Sons, and more performances by Cage The Elephant, Sublime, Lord Huron, Goo Goo Dolls, Myles Smith and Public Enemy, just to name a few.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Past Super Bowl Tailgate shows have including headliners Miley Cyrus, the Chainsmokers, Black Keys, Jason DeRulo, Gwen Stefani and Post Malone.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The headliners, sports stars, A-list personalities and, of course, the influencers have begun to descend on the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Mariah Carey is also already in the city as one of the main headliners of the opening ceremony.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
The pregame media session revealed some details about Bad Bunny’s performance, but headliners often keep a few secrets.
—Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
And also Super Bowl headliners.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The Field of Dreams Movie Site announced last November that country star Carrie Underwood and rock bands Shinedown and Creed will serve as headliners for the second edition of the multiday festival.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Innings Festival The Innings Festival 2026 will bring headliners Blink-182, Twenty One Pilots and Mumford & Sons, and more performances by Cage The Elephant, Sublime, Lord Huron, Goo Goo Dolls, Myles Smith and Public Enemy, just to name a few.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Past Super Bowl Tailgate shows have including headliners Miley Cyrus, the Chainsmokers, Black Keys, Jason DeRulo, Gwen Stefani and Post Malone.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headliners
Noun
-
The lowest-mass stars appear small, faint, red, and cool; the higher mass stars appear large, bright, blue, and hot.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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Tokyo — In scenes normally reserved for J-pop stars, thousands of fans huddle against the cold outside a small train station on the outskirts of Tokyo, their phones held high for a glimpse of Japan’s latest obsession.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of the principals at Zero Gravity, Williams is known for co-creating Netflix’s Ozark with Bill Dubuque.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But unlike those other documents, the bill stated that principals or teachers may not read the Ten Commandments aloud when students are present.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headliners.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headliners. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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