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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
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
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause célèbre
Noun
-
Leigh Wambsganss, the Republican candidate and a Mercy Culture ally, had become a minor MAGA celebrity, owing to her role in facilitating a far-right takeover of the area’s school boards.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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The backstory Built in 1933 as the first hotel in Ibiza, this neo-colonial grande dame was the beating heart of Ibiza Town, a meeting spot for locals, hippies, and celebrities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
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The books also reflect elements of Grace's personality.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
14 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
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised them as American heroes.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Since then, he’s been considered a painter’s painter — capturing jazz icons, heroes from his Mexican heritage, his wife and his own recognizable bearded face — while also staging gonzo solo shows featuring live music, DJing and a faux Mercedes that’s half instrument, half sculpture.—
Michael Slenske,
HollywoodReporter,
14 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 20 Mar. 2026.
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