Synonyms of polestar

polestar

noun

ˈpōl-ˌstär 

as in compass

a guiding or motivating purpose or principle

under the polestar of progress, urban renewal programs gutted the historic districts of many cities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compass
• direction
• purpose
• lodestar
• focus
• cynosure
• touchstone
• criterion
• standard
• objective
• goal
• object
• yardstick
• intention
• benchmark
• par
• aspiration
• measure
• aim
• grade
• ambition
• target
• dream
• mark

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of polestar

While his Late Night forerunner Letterman was probably the comedic polestar of Generation X—gruff, cynical, and biting the hand that fed—O’Brien became a bedrock influence for the next generation of Millennial comics. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025

The Brazilian restaurant has been lauded widely as a polestar of exciting food in the city. — Dallas News, 13 Oct. 2022

And, of course, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn’s polestar for art and repertory programming. — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2022