Synonyms of famous

famous

adjective

ˈfā-məs 

1

as in famed

widely known

a book about some of the most famous people of the last century

Synonyms & Similar Words

• famed
• celebrated
• prominent
• renowned
• notorious
• infamous
• legendary
• distinguished
• respected
• well-known
• visible
• noted
• illustrious
• star
• notable
• outstanding
• remarkable
• big-name
• important
• prestigious
• popular
• leading
• great
• fabled
• honorable
• respectable
• noteworthy
• fabulous
• eminent
• exceptional
• favorite
• reputable
• recognized
• superior
• formidable
• significant
• preferred
• preeminent
• acknowledged
• estimable
• redoubtable
• supereminent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unknown
• obscure
• anonymous
• unsung
• nameless
• unimportant
• insignificant
• unfamous
• inconspicuous
• uncelebrated
• unpopular
• undistinguished
• unexceptional

2

as in excellent

of the very best kind

the review gushed that the restaurant offered some truly famous Southern-style cooking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excellent
• wonderful
• beautiful
• great
• awesome
• lovely
• fabulous
• superb
• terrific
• fantastic
• marvellous
• marvelous
• stellar
• classic
• fine
• prime
• hot
• splendid
• cool
• heavenly
• sensational
• neat
• quality
• brave
• high-class
• top
• exceptional
• divine
• superlative
• superior
• first-class
• top-notch
• noble
• first-rate
• grand
• immense
• nifty
• good
• slick
• cracking
• choice
• topping
• dandy
• par excellence
• groovy
• unsurpassed
• keen
• fab
• banner
• top-shelf
• too much
• radical
• prize
• sterling
• dynamite
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boss
• peachy
• capital
• fantabulous
• topflight
• righteous
• No. 1
• first-string
• mean
• frontline
• crackerjack
• swell
• peachy keen
• out of this world
• special
• number one
• dope
• top-of-the-line
• gone
• decent
• wizard
• A1
• out-of-sight
• bully
• primo
• prizewinning
• supernal
• bumper
• traditional
• better
• classical
• hype
• brag
• five-star
• gilt-edge
• gangbuster
• tip-top
• down
• jim-dandy
• bonny
• four-star
• numero uno
• boffo
• acceptable
• corking
• gangbusters
• okay
• bonnie
• bang-up
• gilt-edged
• A-OK
• adequate
• fancy
• all right
• satisfactory
• phat
• premium
• OK
• tolerable
• passable
• high-grade
• standard
• select
• high-test
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• awful
• lousy
• pathetic
• vile
• wretched
• atrocious
• rotten
• bad
• inferior
• unsatisfactory
• execrable
• substandard
• low-grade
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

Try This Instead

For

Try This

a famous battle

a historical battle

a famed battle

a prominent battle

a notable battle

a notorious battle

famous people

prominent people

noteworthy people

notable people

prestigious people

renowned people

a famous phrase

a classic phrase

a popular phrase

an iconic phrase

a memorable phrase

an immortal phrase

famous players

famed players

iconic players

notable players

illustrious players

legendary players

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of famous are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of famous?

While in some cases nearly identical to famous, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could distinguished be used to replace famous?

The words distinguished and famous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Where would eminent be a reasonable alternative to famous?

The synonyms eminent and famous are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When might illustrious be a better fit than famous?

While the synonyms illustrious and famous are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for famous?

Although the words noted and famous have much in common, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another?

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

a notorious gangster

When is renowned a more appropriate choice than famous?

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

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of famous

Qom is considered a holy city, home to Iran’s largest and most famous Shia seminary. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 June 2025

By the time the sportswriter Sam Smith published a book about the Bulls’ 1990-91 season, in which Jordan and the Bulls finally broke the Pistons’ stranglehold on the Eastern Conference, Jordan was one of the most famous men on the planet. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 June 2025

Who is Blanche DuBois and why, since she was introduced to audiences nearly 80 years ago, does the fragile spirit of Tennessee Williams’ most famous character seem ephemeral and immortal at the same time? —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

For a myriad of reasons—nostalgia among older generations being a major one—famous collections, car shows, and auto museums have proudly displayed vehicles from these eras for quite a long time, highlighting their technological developments and design, as well as the greater culture of the era. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025