EMINENT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated , distinguished , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When could 'celebrated' be used to replace 'eminent'?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When would 'distinguished' be a good substitute for 'eminent'?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, 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 'eminent'?

The meanings of illustrious and eminent largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: In what contexts can 'noted' take the place of 'eminent'?

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

Q: How are the words 'notorious' and 'famous' related as synonyms of 'eminent'?

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

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

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

eminent

adjective

ˈe-mə-nənt

Definition of eminent

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated, distinguished, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could celebrated be used to replace eminent?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for eminent?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is famous a more appropriate choice than eminent?

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, 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 eminent?

The meanings of illustrious and eminent largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

In what contexts can noted take the place of eminent?

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

the noted mystery writer

How are the words notorious and famous related as synonyms of eminent?

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

a notorious gangster

When is it sensible to use renowned instead of eminent?

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

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 eminent On Thursday afternoon, Bass' office sent over Building and Safety crews that issued an eminent hazard order and placed a temporary fence around the property. — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Composer and lyricist Davis has a longstanding personal connection to the autism community, as an educator and board member of Epic Players, a pre-eminent US neurodivergent theater company. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 Nostalgia is powerful, for schoolchildren and eminent scientists alike. — Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026 Instead, Levine Cava is now preparing to go to court to seize the fuel yard through an eminent-domain proceeding, a legal step the County Commission approved last month. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for eminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent

Adjective

Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

The award, which was established by the city of Naperville in 1993, recognizes Naperville-area students for outstanding community service.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
There is no court date scheduled for Wang appearing because there is still an outstanding warrant, a circuit court spokesperson said.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Adjective

The format is innovative, involving 30 students from France’s prestigious perfumery schools École Supérieure du Parfum, or ESP, and Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique Alimentaire, or ISIPCA.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
He had just been awarded the prestigious Alfred Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University, which gave him the financial means and time to work on several projects and to announce himself and his work to a wider academic community.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

Hosmer won the award four times in his illustrious tenure with the club.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Ditka's illustrious career and numerous accolades speak for themselves, but his stories and lasting impact will be remembered for generations.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of illustrious

Adjective

Recent criticism The century-old restaurant guide is famous for its secrecy; its inspectors are anonymous and the company releases only vague information about their evaluation process.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Schumer's vacation photos drew encouragement from several famous friends.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s annual business survey, released in September, found that some 72% of respondents reported having difficulty finding and retaining workers, with skill gaps being a notable part of the problem.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
The event was attended by some of Hollywood’s most prolific and notable actors, filmmakers, and industry executives as well as members of the event’s host committee who came together to support the museum.

— Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of notable

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“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eminent. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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