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 The table below compares Wilson's Seattle tenures to the most illustrious runs other dual-threat quarterbacks made before earning enshrinement. Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Indeed Shamma, Cairo-born and London-based, has spent his illustrious career shaping spaces that blend craft and personal storytelling. Busola Evans, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025 Oxfordshire, England Oxford, England, has long been flocked to for its illustrious university, sandstone buildings, and intricate church spires. Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025 Austin also played football at the University of North Texas for two years before embarking on his illustrious pro wrestling career. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • Paes also highlighted that the 27th edition of Rio Fest will host 120 distinguished guests, among them French cinema superstar Juliette Binoche who, in addition to presenting her first film as a director, will also celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and France.
    Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The model, developed in collaboration with battery startup Sphere Energy, can predict a battery’s long-term behavior in as few as 50 power cycles modeled on the digital twin, says Teodoro Laino, distinguished research staff member at IBM Research.
    Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Has an outstanding technical skill set.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Cinematographer Carlos Catalan has worked on Broadchurch, Dope Girls, Murdered by My Boyfriend and Killing Eve, and production designer Dominic Hyman on The Witcher, The Last Kingdom and earned an Emmy for outstanding art direction on HBO’s The Pacific.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Since modern romance developed in the 1970s, these novels have been thoroughly ignored by highbrow critics and prestigious-award juries.
    Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Although it is censored in China, the film has won Best Director for Lou at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, the most prestigious stage for Sinophone cinema.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fazit Beauty — made famous when Swift wore the company's glitter freckles to a Chiefs game — has $15 showgirl looks.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In 2020, Markey easily won reelection over Joe Kennedy, who was finishing up eight years in the House and sports one of the two most famous names in American politics, along with the Bushes, in the Democratic primary.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In what remains the sport’s pre-eminent super-bullpen, Miller has lessened the sting of setup man Jason Adam’s season-ending quad injury.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Even still, China has a long way to go to catch up with the US in terms of being a pre-eminent science power, experts say, and its research and development push could be impacted by its own slowing economy.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There have been other notable moments already at the Premier League’s newest stadium — but none to compare with this.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • One of the most notable scenes in the 1987 film shows Candy in a devil costume.
    Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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