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 Hall-of-Famer, inducted in 2007, famously won seven Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Open championships and two Australian Opens over the course of his illustrious career. Natasha Dye, People.com, 8 June 2025 Throughout McIlroy's illustrious career, the worst 36-hole finish on the PGA Tour career was tied for 142nd, according to Underdog Golf With. Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Today, the Griffin Poetry Prize—the world’s largest international prize for a single book of poetry published in English—announced its 2025 winner, chosen from an illustrious shortlist of five. Literary Hub june 5, 2025, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025 Florentine society had changed a good deal since the days of their illustrious ancestor; noble blood had in fact become something of a liability. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
  • The Fragrance Foundation proudly recognized Leonard for his distinguished accomplishments both as the Hall of Fame Honoree in 1990 and as the inaugural honoree in 2000 for the first ever Circle of Champions.
    Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
  • But as three generations of the beautiful, distinguished Sinclair family converge on their private summer utopia, no one is talking – not even The Liars, Cadence's childhood best friends.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bregman is an outstanding defensive third baseman, which is the position Devers had played during his nine season tenure with the Red Sox.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • The 50-year-old British soccer legend was awarded a knighthood along with Oscar winner Gary Oldman and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey in Charles' birthday honors list, which recognizes individual outstanding achievements and contributions to British society.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Because of these promising results, the device is trusted by thousands of prestigious institutions worldwide and has helped to restore and regrow billions of hairs.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • With a social scene that is always one step ahead of residents, New Canaan may finally drop its prestigious reputation.
    Slade Logsdon, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The American’s most famous painting Madame X (circa 1884) caused a scandal at the time for depicting socialite Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau with a dress strap hanging down off her shoulder.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
  • How quantum histories interfere One of the most famous demonstrations of the mysterious nature of quantum mechanics is called the double-slit experiment.
    Matt von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Dalla Costa shared her ideas with other feminists, including Selma James, who lived in London and had been married to the eminent cultural historian and Pan-Africanist C. L. R. James.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
  • The award ceremony was presided over by Silvia Grilli, editor-in-chief of the eminent Italian fashion magazine, Grazia.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The timing is notable: 2026 host cities haven’t even had a chance to evaluate the full impact of hosting the men’s tournament before committing to 2031.
    Emily Olsen, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • The difference here is notable because many people now search for information within AI chatbots as opposed to Google Search.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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