as in limelight
the center of public attention
reality show contestants who become addicted to the spotlight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to focus
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spotlight
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
More than a year after being freed by Missouri’s former governor, the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted for killing a Black man stepped back into the political spotlight over the weekend.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Additional performers slated for the week include Chaka Khan, Morris Day, Miguel, Bilal and El DeBarge, while programming will also spotlight key albums like Parade, Emancipation, and 3121.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Noun
Police tape was put up along part of the street and a spotlight was shone on the home.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
More than a year after being freed by Missouri’s former governor, the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted for killing a Black man stepped back into the political spotlight over the weekend.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
The exhibits spotlight the incredible players who competed at the highest level during segregation — many of whom later helped integrate Major League Baseball.
—Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Additional performers slated for the week include Chaka Khan, Morris Day, Miguel, Bilal and El DeBarge, while programming will also spotlight key albums like Parade, Emancipation, and 3121.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotlight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotlight
Noun
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After weeks of seeming sidelined by his boss and the more interventionist members of the administration, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance may appreciate a moment in the global limelight and will be disinclined to leave the talks empty-handed.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
However, panicle hydrangeas like limelight that bloom in the summer.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the correspondents’ dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Security has typically been focused on the ballroom — rather than the hotel at large — with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Companies are required, under threat of criminal penalties, to bring new information to the government’s attention.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Lawyers who represent Silicon Valley’s biggest AI firms are paying attention.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Additional details were not immediately available, and the homeowner declined to be identified or comment further.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Police identified Delgado-Cordoba as a suspect through his rideshare profile, social media and DNA.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotlight. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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