as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize
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Recent Examples of illustrious
The 40-year-old has had an illustrious 22-year career on the basketball court, including this season.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Five months later, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly handed Landeskog the Stanley Cup, the crowning achievement of his illustrious career.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025
Bette Davis — Jezebel (1938) Bette Davis may have had more iconic roles during her illustrious career, but her turn as a headstrong Southern belle in Jezebel stands out as one of Hollywood's earliest feminist-leaning heroes.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
This esteemed award honors the Monegasque chef’s culinary achievements over an illustrious career.
—Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Five months later, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly handed Landeskog the Stanley Cup, the crowning achievement of his illustrious career.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025
Bette Davis — Jezebel (1938) Bette Davis may have had more iconic roles during her illustrious career, but her turn as a headstrong Southern belle in Jezebel stands out as one of Hollywood's earliest feminist-leaning heroes.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
This esteemed award honors the Monegasque chef’s culinary achievements over an illustrious career.
—Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
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France has had a distinguished career as a journalist, activist and filmmaker, having focused primarily on the LGBTQ+ movement.—
Tom White,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2025
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Serling wrote 92 of the 156 black-and-white sci-fi fantasy episodes throughout the five-year run, with distinguished writers Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson contributing 36 more top chapters.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to the ensemble prize, Short also won outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
12 Mar. 2025
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Densmore also had three outstanding warrants out of Illinois.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And by reversing a one-goal loss to Herediano last week in Costa Rica, Wednesday’s result gave the Galaxy a 4-2 aggregate-goal victory in the two-leg round-of-16 playoff, lifting the team into the quarterfinals of the confederation’s most prestigious club competition for the first time in a decade.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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During Miller’s four years at Arkansas, the Razorbacks had one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country.—
David Ammenheuser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The release of Good American Family, an Ellen Pompeo limited series based on the adoption of Natalia Grace by Kristine and Michael Barnett, has brought the very famous case back to the spotlight.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
19 Mar. 2025
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The bi-continental film tells the story of a famous Spanish chef who returns from Uruguay to Spain to attend her mother’s funeral.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The eminent psychologist Rob Kaiser contends that the benefits of executive leadership development accrue more to individual career success than to organizational success.—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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On the more recent episode, the daughter of the eminent TV producer, Aaron Spelling, probed the possible origins of her aversion.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The recent drop — while notable — has happened before: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024 also saw drops of about 50% or more.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
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The refinery has multiple flares, which are notable, especially at night, when people see flames jumping from the tall pipes.—
Noelle Phillips,
The Denver Post,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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