Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Lodestar
noun
/ LOHD-star /
Hard
Meaning
A guiding principle or person that serves as a constant point of reference and inspiration.
Origin / Etymology
Middle English lode (way, course) and star, originally the Pole Star used for navigation
Synonyms
Guiding light
Beacon
Polestar
Antonyms
Distraction
Misdirection
Red herring
Example Sentence
"The Preamble serves as the lodestar of constitutional interpretation, guiding courts on the document's core values."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Elegant in GS2 and Essay conclusions when naming the guiding ideal, such as constitutional morality or antyodaya.
Relevant Subjects
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