spotlight 1 of 2

as in limelight
the center of public attention reality show contestants who become addicted to the spotlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spotlight

2 of 2

verb

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
Although football and basketball are some of the more popular sports within Black communities, Detroit City FC aims to spotlight soccer across Detroit. Eric Guzmán, Freep.com, 24 July 2025 Painter Amy Sherald talks exhibit spotlighting Black American life 02:58 Sherald withdrew her show in a letter to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, The New York Times reported. Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 24 July 2025
Verb
Before The New York Times put a national spotlight on the restaurant, Souvillong said most customers didn’t know Kitty’s offered chicken and catfish tenderloins. Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025 According to O'Keefe, Danny was even more central to the story in early drafts of the script, but his role was diminished to shine a larger spotlight on the supporting ensemble. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlight
Noun
  • The absence of two global heavy hitters leaves ample limelight for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will visit Brazil both for the summit and a state visit.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
  • The topic pushed several officials into the national limelight, and the board consistently took a unified and outspoken stance on the issue.
    Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the past six months, the department focused on incorporating the community's feedback from October while staying within the budget.
    Pili Saravia, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
  • Set in New York City’s late-19th-century financial world, the book is composed of four fictional texts, each focused on the same people but written from a different vantage point.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • The decision to pursue an activity simply for one’s own enjoyment, though, is deeply human—especially at a moment when our time and attention are treated as commodities.
    Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Yet Moon ventures have gradually come to be seen as a pitstop, rather than a standalone final destination — with attention pivoting to the bigger, juicier endgame of setting boots on Mars.
    Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Milwaukee police officers obtained video footage from local businesses, enabling them to identify the vehicle as a 2025 Ford Explorer.
    Jessica Van Egeren, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Numerous publications including The Independent identified the pilot as a woman from the U.S.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotlight. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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