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 next

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 During his illustrious career, Bergeron won the Selke Trophy a record six times, was a three-time NHL All-Star, and was named team captain for the 2020-21 season. —

Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 June 2026 Hailing from an illustrious Cuban family deeply engaged with classical music, pianist López-Gavilán has distinguished himself across a verdant musical landscape. —

Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 Her body was laid in public in vestita e scoperta (dress in white, face uncovered), which was considered a high honor for illustrious Renaissance figures. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 June 2026 The inspiring voyage aboard one of the world’s most illustrious ships, in many ways a mirror of the Titanic, helped shape his life. —

Veronica Hinke, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

Adjective

Liu, then a Tencent distinguished scientist (a senior title the Chinese tech giant gives to elite researchers) leading the company’s development of its Hunyuan AI model from scratch, saw where the industry was heading.

— Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Advertisement As in Curb, the list of guest stars is long, distinguished, and smartly deployed.

— Judy Berman, Time, 24 June 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Parts of the region visually resemble Lake Tahoe, thanks to gorgeous lakes, elevation changes, and a variety of excellent golf courses that are perpetually in outstanding condition.

— Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
There will be a lasting impact on economic growth as the country faces a long process resolving outstanding costs, according to analysts.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 June 2026

Definition of outstanding

Adjective

There's been growing speculation that the two could get married during Independence Day weekend at Madison Square Garden, one of the world's most famous arenas.

— Caché McClay, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Varietally, Alto Adige is famous for aromatic whites and precision reds.

— Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

That review led to a roundtable organized by the eminent journal October to discuss Morris’s work and to take stock of the avant-garde production of the ’60s.

— Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
One’s wedding is often a crown jewel of all their days—and the parents of the bride and groom are the most eminent, illustrious guests of all.

— Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 9 June 2026

Definition of eminent

Adjective

The discovery is the latest in a series of notable archaeological finds announced by Israeli researchers this year.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
The Sacramento Bee published several notable stories Friday covering local government, public health and state worker policy.

— Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026