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 Beyond Human Vapor, Netflix leaned heavily into prestige dramas anchored by major domestic talent. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 To me, coins are a form of prestige. Thomas Patier, Artforum, 27 Jan. 2026 The result — labor satire that hits without feeling like a prestige think piece — is uncanny in its timeliness. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026 Long a symbol of motion, freedom and prestige, the horse has animated countless brand codes. Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestige
Noun
  • The bill would allow immigrants like him, who have been in the United States for more than 5 years, to apply for legal status, but the bill has made little progress since it was first introduced.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Lynch's status will be reviewed in one year, unless he is found to be no longer incapacitated before that time.
    Katie Houlis, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • For a reality television icon who parlayed his fame on Survivor into an acting and hosting career as well as two more appearances on the gold standard competition show, Colby Donaldson sure does have a lot of regrets.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
  • During a recent appearance on the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast, Hilton said the two reflected on how they were treated at the peak of their fame.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ignatiev, who died in 2019, was a factory worker who entered academia late in life as a Marxist and gained minor notoriety with his 1995 book, How the Irish Became White.
    Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The case gained notoriety when police released body camera video showing the 6-year-old child, wrapped in a blanket with no detectable pulse.
    CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The band shot to national renown after playing their first show at the Windmill pub in Brixton.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Founded in China and now based in Singapore, Manus drew global renown for its progress with building artificial intelligence agents.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • At the Reader, Conway intends to bring her investigative chops and the alternative newspaper’s heritage of long-form journalism back to prominence on its pages.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The delicate, specialized technique handled by plumassiers, or feather specialists, rose to prominence in modern-day millinery and fashion for day and evening — faux and real — in the early 1900s.
    Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA created counter-programming to Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show performance that the organization says is more aligned with their values.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
  • An extreme cold watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • During a 2024 cover story for The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson discussed the importance of keeping his career success in perspective.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The master distiller also emphasizes the importance of heat cycling, a process Brown-Forman implemented in 1874 that mimics the changing seasons during the colder months to ensure maturation doesn’t stop.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The latter should happen naturally, as Fredrikze expects to grow beyond his current 6-foot, scrawny stature.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Taipei 101 towers over the capital of Taiwan, its steel-and-glass stature becoming synonymous with the city.
    Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestige. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on prestige

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!