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 Garrett has had many complimentary interactions with coaches in his illustrious career. —

Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Best Hotels & Resorts The Cottage Club Hotel In a quiet enclave surrounded by lush vegetation, the white cottages at The Cottage Club Hotel offer a stark contrast against the illustrious Mount Scenery. —

Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2026 Who should and will win the actual statues from these illustrious lists? —

Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026 Meanwhile, across from the church on the lake’s promenade, a boy bounced a ball against a vibrant ceramic mural designed by the late illustrious artist and Palma resident Joan Miró. —

Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

Adjective

An assemblage of distinguished jurists, Ivy League professors, nonprofit leaders, journalists, and theologians sat around me in a half circle.

— Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
What distinguished Didion is her style, so carefully milled as to be not noticed at first.

— Zinzi Clemmons, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026