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 But the younger Marley is not standing in the shadows of his illustrious dad. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025 Read on to learn more about our illustrious lineup. Meg Miller, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The school is recognized for its illustrious alumni including Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Artur Kapp and Rudolf Tobias. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 The 3,000 career strikeout club is an exclusive club of 19 pitchers who have reached the illustrious mark. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • Bruce Yandle is a distinguished adjunct fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and former executive director of the Federal Trade Commission.
    Bruce Yandle, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Only the day before, the distinguished British medical journal the Lancet published a study warning about the potential consequences now looming.
    Butch Meily, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • But Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee left a hearing Wednesday with outstanding questions that could take lawmakers months to answer — if not longer.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 10 July 2025
  • Indeed, Nvidia has delivered outstanding financial performance.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Stanford has no natural ties to the ACC, and life is a lot harder now for the prestigious academic institution because of name, image and likeness, revenue sharing and the transfer portal.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • In spite of difficulties at the festival, Dulac was able to lure prestigious guests to the event over the years, notably Keanu Reeves, Donald Sutherland, Agnès Varda, Brady Corbet, Ari Aster, Lily Gladstone, Joel Edgerton, Ira Sachs and Ben Winshaw.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • It is also equipped with the watchmaker’s famous Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 July 2025
  • But the famous Ozuna power disappeared as his average fell.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Each year, Central Texas gardeners face eminent heat, drought, floods or freezes, sometimes all four.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • She’s joined by an eminent paleontologist, Dr. Henry Loomis (Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey, who's much less interesting out of knee breaches and buckled shoes), and riverboat captain Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali, always interesting no matter what the role or film).
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • This matchup has become one of the most notable rivalries in women's boxing, and many will be tuning in to see who comes out on top this time.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • There's a major plot twist involving Superman's Kryptonian parents (as well as a far less extreme but still notable reimagining of his human parents) that has big implications for the character going forward.
    James Grebey, Time, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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