limelight

[lahym-lahyt] / ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt /

NOUN

public attention

Synonyms

STRONGEST

glare prominence public eye spotlight

STRONG

eminence exposure hype renown

WEAK

fifteen minutes of fame focus of attention media attention photo opportunity public interest public notice public recognition

Antonyms

STRONGEST

obscurity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The war has put all things energy, including coal, natural gas, and oil, in the limelight.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Mueller, who routinely shunned the limelight throughout his law-enforcement career, largely vanished from public view after his departure from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2013.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Such opportunities are rare, and typically occur far from Wall Street and out of the limelight.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

Yet Carrick was not about to hog the limelight as he attended a family event alongside, among others, close friend Chris Hood.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

But of course limelight is white, not green—chemical lime, not citrus.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Vocabulary lists containing limelight

Bronx Masquerade

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A Deadly Wandering

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Baseball in April

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