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 But if nationalism is a hunger for prestige and preeminence, America’s self-image as the City on a Hill is nationalism in embryo. Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026 Neon proved especially shrewd handling its follow-up, selling McCarthy’s witchy haunted inn as both prestige fare and an accessible vehicle for star Adam Scott. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 The most important story may not be the rise of any individual institution, but the broader redistribution of prestige across American higher education. Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The Prince of Wales sadly won’t be attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s wedding Friday in New York City, but the heir to the British throne nonetheless made sure to offer some royal prestige to events. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestige
Noun
  • Thiero’s status for Las Vegas summer league games, which begin Friday for the Lakers, is unclear, Abbott said.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The tech-preview status of the MCP governance features across several of these products is a reminder that the security story is still maturing, even as the agents are already in production.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Motherhood, sexuality, family, fame… every band member forges her own path in refreshingly disparate ways rarely shown on television.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • Donors include oil executive Harold Hamm, the Waltons of Walmart fame, Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, a hedge fund, and Burgum himself.
    Jack Dura, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Kiros first gained online notoriety for being fired by her law firm in New York after writing a letter sharply critical of Israel in November 2023.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • In the late 1970s, Brass entered a new phase and gained fresh notoriety with cult historical-erotic films Salon Kitty (1976) and Caligula (1979) as well as The Key (1983), a free adaptation of a novel by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Branded as Princeton research, the paper’s influence continued to expand, boosting the university program’s renown and Pacala and Socolow’s stature.
    Maddie Stone, ProPublica, 25 June 2026
  • The first Raffles opened in Singapore in 1887, and the chain has gained worldwide renown for luxurious service with locations around the world.
    Tanya Edwards, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • That sum of money, for him, is simply a yardstick for the prominence of his image and his desire for admiration.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 8 July 2026
  • Wong rose to prominence in Hong Kong in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in the city’s schools.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Household incomes average $376,741, and home values average $2 million.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The Central African country is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and controls vast stores of copper, gold, and lithium; its mining sector is estimated to hold $24 trillion of mineral value.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • There is no public address system reminding some fans the importance of a looming third down.
    Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The importance of falling well has only grown as players have adapted movement patterns from clay and hard courts to grass.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • McHenry has a viral moment McHenry was already a notable character on Capitol Hill because of his short stature and his penchant for bow ties.
    Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • Thomson’s about-face over the movies might be a surprise, but that a critic of his stature would wrestle with cinema’s enduring value is not.
    Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestige. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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