CAUSE CÉLÈBRE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

cause célèbre

noun

ˌkȯz-sə-ˈleb

variants also cause celebre

Definition of cause célèbre

as in celebrity

a person who is widely known and usually much talked about a cause célèbre from some reality TV show whose fame hadn't even lasted the proverbial 15 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cause célèbre Peters, who is 70 years old, is a cause celebre among those who insist the 2020 election was stolen. — Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026 Peters' release has become a cause celebre in the election conspiracy movement. — CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 Their case became a cause celebre and a polarizing one. — Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025 Their fight became a cause celebre for the left, with powerful Democratic governors like California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ JB Pritzker joining the cause and many cheering them on. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cause célèbre

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause célèbre

Noun

Johnson looked to Tracey Cunningham—the celebrity colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional US creative director of color and technique—for the job.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026
Its celebrity pedigree is astonishing (spokespersons and fans include Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, etc), its offerings are robust, and many, if not most of its products, are five-star successes.

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of celebrity

Noun

Brad Pitt sent a message to George Clooney as the Michael Clayton star was honored Wednesday at the Venice International Film Festival.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Marchese spent the past 12 years as a senior executive at Studio71, another creator media firm that handled distribution and advertising sales representation for a range of digital-native stars.

— William Earl, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of star

Noun

For these brands, lab-grown is in the name, and their styles are more akin to traditional natural diamond brands.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
That’s an appealing quality for Hegseth, who wants Parnell for the job, a second administration official said — and his name has been mentioned for a while now, given that Driscoll’s departure by the end of the year was expected.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of name

Noun

As a talk-show host and media personality, her sometimes petulant, relentlessly flirtatious energy was a thrilling throwback to the likes of Rosie O’Donnell or Alan Carr’s chat shows.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
One aspect of Eloise’s personality that her parents and brother treasure the most is her connection with animals, from family pets to the deer and horses roaming on the ranch.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of personality

Noun

But no superstar name has scrambled around the world for the show.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Photograph by Anthony Pham The boy-band-heartthrob-to-solo-superstar pipeline is a familiar one in the pop pantheon, but few have worn it as well as the British singer Harry Styles.

— Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of superstar

Noun

Before Bret can continue to self-identify as Shakespeare’s most famous hero, he’s questioned by Detectives Donaldson and Fregosi, who wonder if Bret isn’t being honest about the nature of his relationship with Matt.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
The problem is exacerbated by Mark Wahlberg, pretty handily the most constitutionally unlikely Burton hero of all time.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of hero

Browse Nearby Words

cause

cause célèbre

caused

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cause célèbre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause%20c%C3%A9l%C3%A8bre. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cause célèbre

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gist

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes