Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated, distinguished, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could celebrated be used to replace eminent?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for eminent?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is famous a more appropriate choice than eminent?

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, 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 eminent?

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

illustrious war heroes

In what contexts can noted take the place of eminent?

While in some cases nearly identical to eminent, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How are the words notorious and famous related as synonyms of eminent?

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

a notorious gangster

When is it sensible to use renowned instead of eminent?

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 eminent And the biggest question hanging over Mozart is whether his teacher’s eminent father was actually murdered by a famous oculist who performed two fateful eye surgeries on him only months before his death. Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025 The study published in the eminent science journal, The Lancet, and falsely linked MMR vaccines with autism. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 Costa interviews eminent subjects on both sides of the ideological divide, including current president Lula, former president Bolsonaro, and evangelical minister (and Bolsonaro ally) Silas Malafaia. Erik Morse, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025 Then the eminent fashion journalist Suzy Menkes intervened, advising him to return home. Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent
Adjective
  • Lesser known, but no less distinguished, is Cesare Attolini.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • Father Roman, a distinguished figure with curly black hair and floor-sweeping black cassock, let us in.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • That’s the number of borrowers with outstanding federal student loan debt as of the second quarter of 2025, according to the Department of Education.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The changes hit on several outstanding policy demands that Republicans had been debating in meetings for days.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The third-largest city in Italy with a population of around 1 million, Naples has long been known as a luxury menswear Mecca, home to some of the world’s most prestigious tailoring brands including Kiton, Isaia and Mariano Rubinacci.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • The dispute over international students is the latest development in the administration's standoff with one of the country's most prestigious universities.
    Luke Barr, ABC News, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Billy has had an illustrious career over the years.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • Owners Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos moved to Colorado in 2020 after illustrious careers as professional pastry chefs, and began the bakery out of their kitchen.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Those movies also had a bevy of famous guest stars, including Debbie Reynolds, Jerry Orbach, Robert Guillaume, David Hasselhoff and Paul Anka.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The other, called Dominator, is owned by the famous chaser Reed Timmer.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Kia has been enjoying notable success in Europe of late.
    Utkarsh Sood, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
  • One notable exception to these observations is the Medicare Advantage program.
    John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eminent. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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