variants
also cause celebre
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a cause célèbre from some reality TV show whose fame hadn't even lasted the proverbial 15 minutes
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Recent Examples of cause célèbre
Peters, who is 70 years old, is a cause celebre among those who insist the 2020 election was stolen.
—
Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Peters' release has become a cause celebre in the election conspiracy movement.
—CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Their persecution became a cause celebre of the American Evangelical movement, which convinced President George W. Bush’s administration to help broker a peace agreement that led to independence 15 years ago.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 15 Dec. 2025
Their case became a cause celebre and a polarizing one.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Their fight became a cause celebre for the left, with powerful Democratic governors like California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ JB Pritzker joining the cause and many cheering them on.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
But some residents complained they weren’t provided enough information about the project, which became a cause celebre for Republicans who led the way in stoking fears about the prospect of communist infiltration, given the Chinese ownership of the plant’s parent company.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The idea has become a cause celebre in certain circles.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Peters' release has become a cause celebre in the election conspiracy movement.
—CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Their persecution became a cause celebre of the American Evangelical movement, which convinced President George W. Bush’s administration to help broker a peace agreement that led to independence 15 years ago.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 15 Dec. 2025
Their case became a cause celebre and a polarizing one.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
Their fight became a cause celebre for the left, with powerful Democratic governors like California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ JB Pritzker joining the cause and many cheering them on.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
But some residents complained they weren’t provided enough information about the project, which became a cause celebre for Republicans who led the way in stoking fears about the prospect of communist infiltration, given the Chinese ownership of the plant’s parent company.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The idea has become a cause celebre in certain circles.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause célèbre
Noun
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Chuck Norris is among the celebrities reported dead in 2026, part of a growing list of notable figures across entertainment, music and culture.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
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Actor James Van Der Beek is the most recent celebrity to die of the disease, putting colon cancer in the spotlight yet again.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On this Wednesday’s episode of The Run-Through, Doja Cat—Vogue’s April cover star and the host of the second annual Vogue Vintage Market—calls in from her dining room in Los Angeles.—
Alexandra Di Palma,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
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Kansas City Royals star Maikel Garcia shined on the national stage.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
State officials also cited a government code that protects names of superintendent applicants from public release.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Backup forward Nic Coadie — a great personality — explained the nuances of college football to Round 1 hero Matas Vokietaitis, who fielded questions from reporters about his free throw shooting.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dustin Satloff / Getty Images file As Georgetown’s superstar center, Patrick Ewing won one NCAA championship game, in 1984, and lost two other finals — on Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot in 1982 and in an all-time upset to Villanova in 1985.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Mar. 2026
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In February, basketball superstar and Hopkins native Paige Bueckers donated $50,000 to the Hopkins Education Foundation to help with food insecurities and rent relief during the immigration crackdown.—
Marielle Mohs,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Backup forward Nic Coadie — a great personality — explained the nuances of college football to Round 1 hero Matas Vokietaitis, who fielded questions from reporters about his free throw shooting.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
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Chavez is accused of molesting or raping young girls and civil rights hero Dolores Huerta, according to a New York Times story published Wednesday.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cause célèbre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause%20c%C3%A9l%C3%A8bre. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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