renowned 1 of 2

Definition of renownednext

renowned

2 of 2

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

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
Restaurants within the food hall will include Tabo Sushi by James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi, Urbanbelly by renowned Chef Bill Kim, Lucky Goat by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard, Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream and Five50 Pizza. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 On May 13, the Princess of Wales kicked off her visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn more about the city's renowned approach to early childhood education as her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood expands internationally. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Music lovers will appreciate spending an evening at the National Forum of Music, with its renowned acoustics, or attending free, open-air JazzOVO concerts in the courtyard of OVO Wroclaw during summer Fridays. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 May 2026 But most of his testimony Monday related to his previous relationship with Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and wife of renowned surgeon Peter Grossman. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for renowned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renowned
Adjective
  • Short but sweet Jacksonville took advantage of perhaps the most famous offseason haircut with quarterback Trevor Lawrence getting his long locks cut short on camera after introducing the Jaguars’ schedule that then plays out on the screen edited down to less than 2 minutes.
    Teresa M. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
  • To paraphrase the famous musical title, a funny thing happened on the way to the upfronts this year.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • He was ordained in 1877 and died in 1889, after which his intensely spiritual poems were discovered and acclaimed by a new generation.
    René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
  • KPop Demon Hunters from Sony Pictures Imageworks was widely acclaimed and came from here.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Primm Valley, Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s all hosted at one time the famed Bonnie and Clyde V-8 Ford riddled with more than 100 bullets in 1934.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • In Key West, grab a cold one at the famed Sloppy Joe’s bar, see the famous five-toed cats at the Ernest Hemingway Home, dive into history at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, and watch the glorious sunsets at Mallory Square.
    Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, he was commended for making 43 such arrests.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
  • Supervisor Jim Desmond must be commended for making fire preparedness a top priority.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Carter was soon turning out hits of his own, often backed by the celebrated session players at FAME.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
  • In the film Damon portrays a celebrated astronaut who, stranded and desperate, nearly sacrifices humanity to save himself.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • His secondary stuff has complimented his fastball.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
  • Willard complimented that pair with a handful of high-scoring mid-major guards.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • With the House vote on Monday, Duterte, who comes from one of the country’s most prominent political dynasties, became the first official in the Southeast Asian country’s history to be impeached twice.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 May 2026
  • In a hall occasionally pierced by air-raid sirens warning of Russian strikes, the event has united Ukraine’s most prominent galleries, artists, collectors, and cultural institutions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Mayor Dean Trantalis applauded that move.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • The two embraced again as the audience applauded.
    Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Renowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renowned. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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