Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of illustrious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Where would celebrated be a reasonable alternative to illustrious?

The meanings of celebrated and illustrious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

In what contexts can distinguished take the place of illustrious?

The synonyms distinguished and illustrious are sometimes interchangeable, but distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of illustrious?

The words eminent and illustrious can be used in similar contexts, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace illustrious?

The words famous and illustrious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When would noted be a good substitute for illustrious?

While the synonyms noted and illustrious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

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

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

a notorious gangster

When can renowned be used instead of illustrious?

In some situations, the words renowned and illustrious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 illustrious Ogwumike played the first 12 years of her illustrious career with the Sparks. John W. Davis, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 Sorenstam, who won 72 LPGA Tour tournaments, including 10 majors, during her illustrious career, will raise awareness for the Annika Foundation while competing at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Club near Lake Tahoe next month. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025 So began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 16 June 2025 Barrington forward Piper Lucier was a beacon of positivity during her illustrious four-year career. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • From September 25-28, the Windy City hosts Chicago Gourmet one of the nation’s most distinguished food festivals.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Developers feed their chatbot models on a torrent of material, much of it scraped from the web — everything from distinguished literary works to random babbling — as well as collections holding millions of books, articles, scientific papers and the like, some of it copyrighted.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 2012, Bates won her first Emmy Award, taking home outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for Two and a Half Men.
    Brendan Le, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • They’re spread across the United States and capture the remarkable variety that defines the country — from culture and food to history and outstanding natural beauty.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • One starting point is seeking international students in the U.S. Students from around the world come to the U.S. to study AI and machine learning at prestigious schools.
    Sophie Alcorn, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • The film recently received the prestigious Sydney Film Prize at the 72nd Sydney Film Festival.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The American’s most famous painting Madame X (circa 1884) caused a scandal at the time for depicting socialite Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau with a dress strap hanging down off her shoulder.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
  • How quantum histories interfere One of the most famous demonstrations of the mysterious nature of quantum mechanics is called the double-slit experiment.
    Matt von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Pike will play Jessica Parks, an eminent Crown Court criminal judge, a maverick at the top of her career and married with a son.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 June 2025
  • Dalla Costa shared her ideas with other feminists, including Selma James, who lived in London and had been married to the eminent cultural historian and Pan-Africanist C. L. R. James.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plan your summer road trip though the region to include a few nights stop in Boone to catch a few notable festival events.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • Eventually, Graham became a notable player on the defensive end of the ball for the Eagles.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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