DISTINGUISHED Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

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

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When can 'famous' be used instead of 'distinguished'?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When might 'illustrious' be a better fit than 'distinguished'?

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

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

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished 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 'distinguished'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'renowned' take the place of 'distinguished'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished , renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

distinguished 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wisht

Definition of distinguished next

as in imposing

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner heads turned as the well-dressed, distinguished couple strode through the hotel lobby

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a distinguished astronomer who is widely respected in the field

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distinguished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distinguish

as in differentiated

to understand or point out the difference in even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characterized

to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in identified

to find out or establish the identity of learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noticed

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in classified

to arrange or assign according to type on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of distinguished?

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could eminent be used to replace distinguished?

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When can famous be used instead of distinguished?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When might illustrious be a better fit than distinguished?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished 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 distinguished?

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished 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 distinguished?

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

a notorious gangster

In what contexts can renowned take the place of distinguished?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished, 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 distinguished

Adjective

The Times has a distinguished history of award-winning photography. —

Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 Mfume has served Maryland for many years in a distinguished and honorable way. —

Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

Nonetheless, Gutekunst highlighted McClellan’s size, length (33 7/8-inch arms), versatility across the line and pass-rushing ability as reasons the Packers distinguished him from other available defensive tackles. —

Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Edward, known for his strong piety, is also distinguished as one of the few English kings to be canonized. —

Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinguished

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguished

Adjective

One of the people listening was an imposing but soft-spoken guy dressed in black, with a baseball cap nearly covering his eyes.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Only Andy Pages has looked alert in the Dodgers’ super-imposing lineup, which would have been shut out before a crowd of 45,556 at Dodger Stadium if not for Freddie Freeman’s two-out home run in the ninth inning.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of imposing

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“Distinguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguished. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of distinguished

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