ILLUSTRIOUS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

illustrious

adjective

i-ˈlə-strē-əs

Definition of illustrious next

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In 2024, Bardem joined the illustrious list of stars to make their mark with a KVIFF festival trailer, which referenced the oplatky, the popular local delicacy that is a thin circular wafer. —

Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 Wooten, in the final match of an illustrious high school career, came from behind to score an overtime victory against Miami Palmetto’s Allesia Franco to clinch the Class 4A state championship for the Lions. —

Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 Neymar, who is the Brazilian men’s national team’s all-time leading scorer, has won one Champions League title, two La Liga titles, five Ligue 1 titles, an Olympic gold medal and more in his illustrious career. —

Tom Bogert, New York Times, 25 June 2026 In what could be one of the most significant sports moments in AT&T Stadium’s history, Messi seized a crowning achievement in an illustrious career — one that many believe to be the greatest of all time. —

Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

Adjective

Arlington received a distinguished visitor Saturday as the King of Jordan stopped by during the city's World Cup festivities.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Liu, then a Tencent distinguished scientist (a senior title the Chinese tech giant gives to elite researchers) leading the company’s development of its Hunyuan AI model from scratch, saw where the industry was heading.

— Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Each invite reportedly includes a unque watermark so the famous couple will know if anyone leaks information about their nuptials on social media.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026
On June 23, the Legally Blonde star, 50, broke out her Elle Woods best for the premiere of Elle, a brand-new series chronicling her famous character’s life before her time at Harvard Law.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

That review led to a roundtable organized by the eminent journal October to discuss Morris’s work and to take stock of the avant-garde production of the ’60s.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
One’s wedding is often a crown jewel of all their days—and the parents of the bride and groom are the most eminent, illustrious guests of all.

— Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 9 June 2026

Definition of eminent

Adjective

The most notable thing in Kansas’ law on fireworks is that bottle rockets are banned statewide.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
After his death, Gifford said that a posthumous scan revealed that the former football player also had a notable condition, CTE, that often shows up in athletes who've endured numerous hits to the head.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026