prestige

Definition of prestigenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prestige distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of prestige are authority, credit, influence, and weight. While all these words mean "power exerted over the minds or behavior of others," prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

When would authority be a good substitute for prestige?

While the synonyms authority and prestige are close in meaning, authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

When is credit a more appropriate choice than prestige?

In some situations, the words credit and prestige are roughly equivalent. However, credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Where would influence be a reasonable alternative to prestige?

While in some cases nearly identical to prestige, influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

In what contexts can weight take the place of prestige?

Although the words weight and prestige have much in common, weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

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 prestige While all this progress was happening on the global level, some workers in the West lost their relative power, prestige, and position as the global economy shifted and much of the world’s manufacturing moved to Asia over those 40 years. Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026 Of course, the prices reflect the island’s prestige. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026 Screenwriters secretly envy book authors for their intellectual prestige and creative control, and authors secretly dream of working in Hollywood. Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026 In a neighborhood where prestige is the baseline, this residence manages to push a little further. Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestige
Noun
  • Clogs are no longer in their comeback era, but planted firmly as staple status.
    Claire West, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
  • How to track your federal tax refund Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refunds on the IRS website, the IRS2Go mobile app, or by calling 800-829-1954.
    Bailey Allen, Cape Cod Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the years before her Bomb interview, Dupuy-Spencer experienced a meteoric rise to fame.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The hilarious send-up of celebrity drama and the paranoia that can accompany fame is cowritten and directed by Jonah Hill and also stars Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The David Hockney–esque Julian was a star of the ’60s and ’70s but has spent the past three decades in prolonged retreat, living off his notoriety and persona as an art curmudgeon — first as a judge on a reality-competition show and, more recently, on Cameo.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
  • One of the first initiatives under Khosla was a 10-year strategic plan for expansion and more notoriety.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The home here is a ramshackle London town house where a famed painter, Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen), is spending his final years in a haze of creative stagnation and lingering renown.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Deeply respected in the Hungarian art world, Maurer spent more than six decades working across printmaking, film, photography, performance, and painting before finally gaining international renown in the early 2010s.
    News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Vaqueiro, 38, has become the fresh face of Spanish-language news after Jorge Ramos, who achieved prominence as a forceful advocate for Latino immigrants during his 40 years on the air, signed off from rival Univision in late 2024.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Combining this new credibility and image with the growth of prime-time talk shows such as Larry King Live and The Capitol Gang, CNN in the 1990s gained international prominence and strong ratings.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Midwest crop land values have increased.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • On top of that, commercial values dropped last year, as did apartment values, leaving homeowners shouldering more of the cost of running the city.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mauresmo repeated the importance of privacy for players — an issue raised by Iga Swiatek and Gauff at this year's Australian Open.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Martone deflected a point shot from Matvei Michkov, the 21-year-old Russian who navigated an uneven first half of the season only to heat up as the games heightened in importance down the stretch.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trump has gone far toward shattering what’s left of America’s global stature.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Everything — from food to veterinary care — scales up with the dog’s formidable stature.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestige. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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