CELEBRATED Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'celebrated' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When could 'distinguished' be used to replace 'celebrated'?

While the synonyms distinguished and celebrated are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Q: When is 'eminent' a more appropriate choice than 'celebrated'?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated , eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'famous' instead of 'celebrated'?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'celebrated'?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: When would 'noted' be a good substitute for 'celebrated'?

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

Q: How do 'notorious' and 'famous' relate to one another, in the sense of 'celebrated'?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. // a notorious gangster

Q: Where would 'renowned' be a reasonable alternative to 'celebrated'?

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-təd

Definition of celebrated

as in famous

widely known a celebrated author making an appearance on a talk show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

celebrated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of celebrate

as in praised

to proclaim the glory of a personal essay that celebrates the single life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commemorated

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could distinguished be used to replace celebrated?

While the synonyms distinguished and celebrated are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is eminent a more appropriate choice than celebrated?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is it sensible to use famous instead of celebrated?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of celebrated?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for celebrated?

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of celebrated?

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

a notorious gangster

Where would renowned be a reasonable alternative to celebrated?

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, 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 celebrated

Adjective

Now, 64 years later, bassist, keyboardist, and singer-songwriter Paul McCartney is firmly one of the most celebrated musicians in the world. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 The singer, songwriter and poet has also built a celebrated literary career. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrated that come-from-behind victory by grating cheese on the field, poking fun at Green Bay’s Cheesehead fan base. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 The Fairmont Breakers in Long Beach, meantime, received its first Michelin key on the same day the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary. — Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebrated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrated

Adjective

The person answering questions needn't be famous; just someone who has done the thing.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Shahzada was a history buff, so the family had been to Lebanon to see the ancient Cedars of God forest that the Phoenicians had used to build their ships, becoming the Med’s most famous seafarers.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Verb

As of 2022, more than half of the seafood eaten worldwide was farm-raised rather than caught at sea, a fact that has been praised as evidence that fish farming can meet a growing demand for seafood while slowing the collapse of the oceans.

— Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
At a September campaign event in Pittsboro, Whatley praised legislation enacted over Cooper’s opposition and accused the former governor of prioritizing transgender participation over protections for female athletes.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

Her victory is commemorated during Vijayadashami, the 10th and final day of the Durga Puja festival.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
On the floor of the NYSE, a milestone moment for Hollywood after a fraught merger process was commemorated with the pageantry of the bell-ringing.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of commemorated

Adjective

Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the famed hospitality design studio, interiors take inspiration from Easy Rider and the mythology of the American road trip.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
During the famed 1969 Apollo 11 mission, Hamilton’s software overrode an errant attempt to swap the flight computer’s primary processing to a radar system.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Verb

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles blessed us with that on Sunday.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Bird, who also wrote the nifty script with Matthew Robbins, has been blessed to collect a sensational voice cast to match an intriguing bunch of characters who make up this mashup.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of blessed

Adjective

Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart, and the talented Adele Lim returns to adapt this renowned tale for a new television audience.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Godrich — renowned for his work with Radiohead, Beck, and Paul McCartney, along with playing in Atoms for Peace with Thom Yorke and Flea — was looking to step back a bit.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of renowned

Adjective

The Blocks are a prominent Hamburg family best known for their popular national steakhouse chain Block House.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Being able to recruit a prominent voice cast that includes Abbi Jacobson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston also helped the film travel.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
The Bangkok outpost in the Ratchadamri shopping district draws distinguished guests who zip around the city via the connecting BTS Skytrain station.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

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“Celebrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrated. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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