A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.
Examples:
Her radiant smile was the cynosure of the entire room.In ancient times, the North Star was a crucial cynosure for navigation.The festival's dazzling centerpiece became an instant cynosure for visitors.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Sinecure
/ˈsaɪnɪkjʊə/
A position that requires little or no work but gives the holder status or financial benefit
Examples:
His job was nothing but a sinecure, yet it paid well.Sinecure posts are common in bureaucratic organizations.She enjoyed the prestige of the sinecure at the firm.
Synonyms:
This word has no synonyms
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Ways to tell them apart:
Sinecure has an s and c that could remind you of Sitting comfortably, reflecting its meaning of an easy job with little to no responsibility.
Cynosure sounds somewhat like sign or southern star, which can remind you of its meaning—being the center of attention or something that serves as a guide, much like the North Star.
Noting the cure part in sinecure can help you recall that it relates to a position (job) as opposed to cynosure which doesn't relate to employment at all.
Think of sinecure as secure because it offers secure pay for little effort.
The word cynosure shares its ending with measure, which could help in remembering its use in guiding or attracting attention.