RENOWNED Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'renowned' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated , distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , and notorious . While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Q: In what contexts can 'celebrated' take the place of 'renowned'?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When might 'distinguished' be a better fit than 'renowned'?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Q: When is it sensible to use 'eminent' instead of 'renowned'?

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When is 'famous' a more appropriate choice than 'renowned'?

The words famous and renowned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'renowned'?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: When would 'noted' be a good substitute for 'renowned'?

While in some cases nearly identical to renowned , noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

Q: How do 'notorious' and 'famous' relate to one another, in the sense of 'renowned'?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. // a notorious gangster

Q: How is the word 'renowned' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated , distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , and notorious . While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Q: In what contexts can 'celebrated' take the place of 'renowned'?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

renowned 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈnau̇nd

Definition of renowned next

as in famous

widely known the renowned painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

renowned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of renown

as in acclaimed

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How is the word renowned different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and notorious. While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

In what contexts can celebrated take the place of renowned?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When might distinguished be a better fit than renowned?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of renowned?

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is famous a more appropriate choice than renowned?

The words famous and renowned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of renowned?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for renowned?

While in some cases nearly identical to renowned, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of renowned?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

How is the word renowned different from other adjectives like it?

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

In what contexts can celebrated take the place of renowned?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When might distinguished be a better fit than renowned?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of renowned?

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is famous a more appropriate choice than renowned?

The words famous and renowned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of renowned?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for renowned?

While in some cases nearly identical to renowned, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of renowned?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

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 renowned

Adjective

In the 1980s, when Christo wanted to wrap nearly a dozen islands in Biscayne Bay in more than 6 million square feet of floating pink plastic fabric, the renowned artist known for his massive installations had to get through DERM first. —

Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026 For nearly 40 years, the estate at Rockfield—which was formerly a farm for pimento berries, the main spice used in jerk seasoning—belonged to renowned Jamaican painter Judy Ann MacMillan, a friend of Michelle and Suzanne's parents. —

Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026 Although Kelley is a renowned writer, Pfeiffer rarely works on his projects, apart from 1993's To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday. —

Meg Walters, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026 Her new pad—once home to renowned French architect Thierry Despont—is full of wood and Art Deco influences. —

Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renowned

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renowned

Adjective

For the next 16 weeks, the man behind one of the most famous restaurants in the world was going to work with his 130-member team at the five-acre compound to create multi-course meals costing $1,500 a seat.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Its Healing Hair Oil is its most famous product, but with its reparative and growth-promoting benefits, the Damage Reverse Serum deserves to be in the spotlight, too.

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Definition of famous

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“Renowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renowned. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 13 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

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