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renowned

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verb

past tense of renown

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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
And part of that is because Marc Platt, who’s obviously an old hand in the movie business and a very experienced and much renowned producer, was our producer on the movie as well as our lead producer on the show. Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024 Guests can indulge in fine dining at the renowned Café Boulud or rejuvenate at the spa, which offers everything from beach-ready blowouts to bespoke treatments. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024 Created by renowned biohacker Dave Asprey, this potent combination of coffee, butter, and MCT Oil held the promise of sustained energy, mental clarity, and weight loss. Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 That’s because Almodóvar is a renowned gay artist who brings his perspective to his work but also because, crucially, this is a movie that meditates on American identity made by a non-American director. James Factora, Them, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renowned 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renowned
Adjective
  • Other artists include Ed Ruscha, Maria Abramovich, the late Richard Serra, and additional famous names.
    Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Rifle High School had no commemoration of its most famous former student.
    Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The famed Chinese restaurant received a yellow placard for several health and safety violations.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The fire that sparked late Wednesday near the heart of the entertainment industry came perilously close to igniting the famed Hollywood Bowl outdoor concert venue.
    John Seewer, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After reminding me of this quote, Grantham commended Prince, kind of.
    John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Many social media comments, meanwhile, commended Baldoni's promotional message for viewers to always have hope.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Even Elio Vittorini’s Conversation in Sicily (1941), the most celebrated anti-Fascist Italian novel of the war years, operates in a murky, allegorical register; it couldn’t have been published otherwise.
    Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
  • But the tipsy hosts had nothing on the celebrated DJ, who joined them for a video interview and admitted to being high on live TV.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Others complimented the easy assembly and sturdy structure.
    Madison Yauger, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Hawaii Honolulu City Lights is a month-long event within this city, and it is complimented by holiday trees and other decorations and special night themes.
    Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The three larger nurseries, prominent plant suppliers to nurseries and individuals for more than 40 years, have been donating some of their rare and unique plants to botanic gardens and other growers as well.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Penn State, now 34-7 over the past three seasons, has to this point been largely hovering in the background, nationally relevant but not nationally prominent.
    Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Family members applauded and cheered, celebrating both his academic achievement and his birthday in unison.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile Clarksville was applauded for its offerings for tourists and locals alike while making room for new businesses like hotels and restaurants.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Here’s the loyal captain of the Praetorian Guard, subduing the notorious radical-left lunatic . . .
    Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024
  • The venue, which resembled an old and abandoned warehouse is notorious for problematic audio reflections which aggravated the issue.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near renowned

Cite this Entry

“Renowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renowned. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

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