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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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
-
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Villa Maçakızı, popular with A-list celebrities, is one of the best established.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With his performance, the native Puerto Rican singer became the first Super Bowl act to perform almost entirely in Spanish (except for a guest appearance from pop star Lady Gaga).—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
At night in Havana, the stars are often clearly visible as most of the city is swathed in near total darkness.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Los Angeles artist, whose real name was James Dear, died Sunday at a private residence, according to the the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Feb. 2026
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Its name honors Elba, a former owner known for tending the garden with care and devotion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a new interview, the model and reality TV personality reflects on the often-meme'd moment from 2010's cycle 14, which saw Tyra Banks' cast of model hopefuls dodge the menacing pendulums that wobbled back and forth as contestants navigated the runway.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
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Those who served the couple remember Hackman’s kind personality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The pop superstar’s involvement added another layer of buzz to a trio that was already generating significant excitement heading into their individual events.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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Both of the Huskies’ superstars were named to the Naismith Trophy’s 30-player late-season team, marking the second national player of the year shortlist to feature the duo after both were named to the top 20 for the Wooden Award last week.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In Kotliarevskyi’s satirical adaptation, the Trojan hero becomes a Cossack, rowdy and earthy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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In Milano Cortina, Hughes is tied for third in assists with six, equaling his childhood hero Duncan Keith for the most assists by a defenseman in a single Olympics tournament in the NHL era.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 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 24 Feb. 2026.
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