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 Roberts had an illustrious career and helped Kansas win multiple titles. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2025 One day, Piper hopes, the allegations against her mother will only be a footnote in her long, illustrious career. Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2025 For Deegan, winning the 250 supercross championship would be the final feather in his cap of what’s been an illustrious 250 career during his teenage years. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 1 May 2025 Winning the French Open would be the 25th Grand Slam in Djokovic's illustrious career, with the No. 2 spot belonging to Nadal's 22. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • Udit Mehrotra is a distinguished product leader who currently serves as Head of Product Management for Customer Experience at Amazon Canada.
    Udit Mehrotra, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Cruise will be honoured by the BFI on Monday with the awarding of a distinguished BFI Fellowship.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Like every successful side in these early years of the World Cup, Uruguay 1950 had an outstanding centre-half in Varela, who was physically dominant and also a key attacking weapon.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 May 2025
  • The Wall Street investment bank estimated that Berkshire’s T-bill position has more than doubled over the past year, adding that the $314 billion stake as of the end of March accounted for 5% of all outstanding short-term government bills.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The team has permitted Derice, a two-time winner of the prestigious BART scouting award, a chance to pursue new opportunities, according to Neil Stratton of Inside The League.
    Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
  • Likewise, Jolie joins a prestigious lineup of godmothers and godfathers, including Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Zhang Ziyi, Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro and Sean Penn.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the famous DreamWorks ogre almost had a very different voice, with Myers' fellow Saturday Night Live alum Chris Farley originally attached.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 18 May 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Great not only as in eye-catching, dazzling, eminent, and profound, but also great as in worthy of a spot on art’s Olympus.
    Brian T. Allen, National Review, 15 May 2025
  • Over the course of a decade, Estonian avant-garde rapper Tommy Cash has become one of pop music’s eminent tricksters.
    Reanna Cruz, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Other notable matches from the 2018 Evolution included Toni Storm's victory over Io Shirai in the Mae Young Classic final and Shayna Baszler's triumph over Kairi Sane for the NXT Women's Championship, marking Baszler's historic second reign.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Featuring surprise cameos from notable figures such as Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger, the show sprinkles real-world glam onto its fictional canvas, elevating the Duprees’ storylines with an authentic touch of Black excellence.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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