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 Yes, Venice provides a glamorous, high-profile red carpet, a heady dose of prestige with its long and glittering history, and a Golden Lion win can sometimes pave the way to a best-picture Oscar. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2026 Even before the war, the country had already developed a large legal profession, sophisticated corporate firms, and distinctive constitutional institutions, although European legal systems retained greater intellectual prestige. Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 His decision to make AlphaFold widely available at no cost had reportedly caused friction inside Google, where the breakthrough brought prestige but little direct revenue. Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Baker has been using these bath towels for the last year and can vet for their budget-friendly prestige. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestige
Noun
  • Jacobs practiced all offseason, but his status remains one of 10 big questions facing Green Bay.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The current proposal, however, makes no mention of Ocalan’s status or possible release.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That was the evening Hilton, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a celebrity gossip blogger, appeared to engage in self-harm during a livestream.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In Pattinson’s case, his latest entries in the internet hall of fame also reflect how his online status has changed across his career, from a position of mockery to the widespread adoration on display today in numerous viral fan edits.
    David Mack, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The biggest supervillain in college football history laughed when hearing about his most recent notoriety.
    Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And there are people that probably get concerned about an 18- or 19-year-old kid being in that position and the notoriety and the fame.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Early shows from talents who went on to widespread renown got preference, as did underexposed perspectives and anything that stretched or experimented with the episodic medium.
    Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Still, only one person became a celluloid legend from Universal’s gambit — and that person wasn’t Carlos Villarias, who outlived Lugosi by two decades yet never achieved anything like the same renown.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Totality also brought glimpses of pinkish-red prominences—fountains of plasma arcing above the sun’s surface, dancing at the moon’s edge.
    Claire Cameron & Lee Billings, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But the prominence accorded to Hiroshima has unintentionally obscured the event that helped force Japan’s surrender.
    James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • For now, though, soccer’s civil war appears to be heading toward an entrenched standoff of ideas and values.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • South Africa's utility, Eskom, plans to develop a 1-gigawatt solar manufacturing facility to capture more value from its fast-expanding solar market and respond to changing electricity demand.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Whatever his role, Brown will have absolute importance to the 76ers this season.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Disruptions to oil and gas exports have highlighted just how reliant Gulf economies still are on fossil fuel revenues, and the importance of renewable energy to reduce this dependency.
    Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • For years, Modi, a balding man of small stature, has held an outsized presence in the imagination of the Indian public.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • As the summer winds down and the college sports calendar begins again, UConn coach Dan Hurley is again using his stature in men’s basketball to call for reform, clarification.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestige. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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