ILLUSTRIOUS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

illustrious

adjective

i-ˈlə-strē-əs

Definition of illustrious

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 La Palma’s illustrious entrance on the Capri scene is one year late. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Norwich and Wrexham are now rivals in the English second-tier Championship, though Jackman’s team has the more illustrious history. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 The fight against musical fraudulence has a long and illustrious history. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Some choose to stay for life—and some death, ultimately joining the illustrious list at Hollywood Forever. — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

Adjective

Why Connecticut Should Lead Connecticut has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in civics education because Senator Lieberman was one of its most distinguished public servants.

— Clarine Nardi Riddle, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
One of America’s most distinguished pediatric cardiologists says the nation is in desperate shape with the end of Medicaid subsidies and the 28 million people who lack insurance.

— Llewellyn King, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

The Riemann hypothesis is arguably the most prestigious of the Millennium Prize Problems.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
This was certainly true at Saturday night’s awards presentation, when the prestigious Golden Lion went to the Danish/Swedish/Latvian film Woman Unknown.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

Emilia Clarke and Emma D’Arcy, famous for playing Targaryen baddies, presented an award at the ceremony.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
To mark the beginning of the new football season, SI Swimsuit reshared photos Monday of NFL significant others who have posed for the famous swimwear issue, including Brittany Mahomes.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

Once the blockbuster 1977 doc Pumping Iron turned him into an international curiosity, eminent photographers began lining up for their own piece of him.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Over time, whites began adopting the remedy, and in 1753, the eminent Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus named the tree Quassia amara.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of eminent

Adjective

Those are notable numbers for Turek in a state dominated by the GOP for the past decade; Turek has an edge among independent voters and a positive favorability rating compared to Hinson, who is viewed more negatively.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
The notable instance came immediately after Brugge levelled at 1-1.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of notable

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“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrious

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