Synonym Chooser

How is the word illustrious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of illustrious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Where would celebrated be a reasonable alternative to illustrious?

The meanings of celebrated and illustrious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

In what contexts can distinguished take the place of illustrious?

The synonyms distinguished and illustrious are sometimes interchangeable, but distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of illustrious?

The words eminent and illustrious can be used in similar contexts, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace illustrious?

The words famous and illustrious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When would noted be a good substitute for illustrious?

While the synonyms noted and illustrious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How are the words notorious and famous related as synonyms of illustrious?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

When can renowned be used instead of illustrious?

In some situations, the words renowned and illustrious are roughly equivalent. However, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of illustrious Washington is a former KU women’s basketball coach with an illustrious career in Lawrence and beyond. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025 At the start of their illustrious careers, the pair starred together on ABC daytime soap opera. Charna Flam, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 What he’s done is build an illustrious business career, among them serving as president of the Jordan Brand and as president of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Malaika Jabali, Essence, 9 Feb. 2025 Busta’s new year has gotten off to a great start, as the 52-year-old has continued to receive his flowers in a show of respect for his cultural contributions and illustrious career. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for illustrious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • Page also was a distinguished stage actress, appearing in The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant in 1980 and receiving the Moliere Award in 1996 for Colombe.
    Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The walls of the Oval Office are adorned with portraits of presidents past, including the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, a fitting nod to the history of such a distinguished work space.
    Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Each Movies 'Wicked' Star Jeff Goldblum Plays Piano During BAFTA Film Awards In Memoriam Segment Winslet scored a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film, with Lee also nominated for the BAFTA for outstanding British film of the year.
    Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Our first priority always is to maintain outstanding security and operational excellence.
    Ayesha Javed, TIME, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Stone is also a part of the prestigious Five-Timers Club, an exclusive group of stars who have hosted SNL at least five times.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The region is famed for its prestigious wine—Brunello di Montalcino—which is made from the Sangiovese grape and draws in oenophiles from around the world to experience its complex, elegant flavors.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This train of thought eventually led me to question the growing number of men, both famous and not, who choose to have children later in life.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Feb. 2025
  • But what happened with Drake and Millie Bobby Brown, who became famous at a very young age because of Stranger Things?
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The damage to undocumented students and mixed status families from threats of deportation is self-evident, as noted by eminent University of California faculty in a recent letter to UC President Michael Drake.
    Isidro Ortiz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Whereas, in fact, plenty of eminent, soundbite-worthy experts work elsewhere.
    David Galef/Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a notable departure from how USC, or most other schools, used to handle the role and a sign of the times in college football.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
  • That would require a good deal of technical resources and would also likely present notable economic challenges for the social media platform, which only became profitable last year.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near illustrious

Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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