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 Formula One may bring visibility, tourism and international prestige, but Dubinsky, the African Studies researcher, says the question is what remains after the cameras leave. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 The oils currently generating press coverage sit at the prestige end. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 As editors stop ranking drugstore and prestige products separately for performance, salon-tier brands will have to defend the gap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Current Programming & Specialty Renate Radford (VP, Current Scripted Series) will continue to lead current programming, and Nora Skinner (VP, Specialty Scripted Series) will continue to be in charge of Specialty, which is elevated, prestige series. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prestige
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestige
Noun
  • As of Thursday morning, the government had filed charging documents in 10 of the 28 cases, offering additional details about how authorities relied on voter registration data to pursue broader criminal charges around immigration status.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Before digging into that, the interface looks a lot like macOS, with an app drawer at the bottom of the screen with a search function and a status bar at the top with app-level options, time, battery, notifications, and connectivity controls.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Early success and early fame can sometimes impart a kind of cultural tunnel vision—an inability to look beyond the next project, or an insecurity when speaking beyond what’s coming up.
    — Alice Robb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The opening of Husk in Charleston in 2010 blasted Brock to national fame.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The case marks the latest legal challenge for Peters, whose internet notoriety crossed into the mainstream after previous brushes with the law.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • New Stanford wants to reel in viewers with the notoriety of the original study and the promise that hot buttons will be pushed.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Related Articles Botstein led Bard College from 1975 and was known as a deft fundraiser who helped earn the small institution global renown.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Sporting black turtlenecks a la Steve Jobs, Holmes first gained renown and then infamy as the tech was unmasked as fraudulent by the Wall Street Journal and a subsequent federal investigation.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • From union leader to president Lula rose to national prominence as the leader of a metalworkers' union that organized strikes that helped bring down Brazil's dictatorship in the 1980s.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rivera and Hernández, each speaking over the din of his own taquería, offered fundamentally different accounts of how El Califa first rose to international prominence, who deserved the credit and what gives a taco its star quality.
    — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The federal government was preparing to change its rules on low-value imports, threatening her ability to purchase cheaper prescription medications for blood thinning and heart failure from Canada.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s 35% of the value of the S&P 500 and the highest concentration in a handful of stocks since just before the crash of 1929.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • These findings point to the importance of substantive local relationships for multinational companies.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The trade association acknowledged Children’s Mercy’s importance in providing specialized pediatric care, but said ACA coverage must remain financially sustainable across Missouri’s health care system.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • An offense run by a coach of McVay's stature should not struggle in as many basic aspects as this one did Sunday — and much of that awfulness was due to McVay's erratic play-calling and Stafford's inconsistent decisions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The brusque treatment of an executive of Bajaria’s stature is a sign that no one is safe from scrutiny, and no one should ever count on making a graceful exit.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestige. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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