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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 Valentina Drofa is Founder and CEO at Drofa Comms, a PR firm for eminent finance and fintech brands. — Valentina Drofa, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 His work came to the attention of the Royal Society, Britain’s eminent community of scientists, and Forster and his father were invited to join Cook’s voyage. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026 The incident and subsequent discourse has resurfaced contentious racial debates surrounding Clark's presence as the pre-eminent player in the WNBA. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for eminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent

Adjective

Our distinguished community of musical-theater actors deserves greater challenges and if theaters don’t train audiences to take a risk on newer material, its embrace will be yet harder in generations to come.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Satsky’s attorney, Robert Anello of New York, told The Charlotte Observer Tuesday that his client has a distinguished 30-year career in finance and an unblemished reputation for integrity.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Why Specialization Still Matters Many excellent residential management companies provide outstanding service to apartment owners.

— David Crown, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Two players — quarterback Ryan Rakowski and safety Jalen Flowers — have been outstanding in delivering big plays.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Adjective

Karp chaired Paul Weiss, one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, for years before being forced to step down in February over his connections to Epstein.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
Last year’s Venice Film Festival saw the premiere of Jay Kelly, in which George Clooney plays a movie star who travels to Italy to get a lifetime-achievement award from a prestigious film festival.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

The shows are billed as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of debut LP Reasonable Doubt, which kicked off the 56-year-old’s illustrious career in 1996.

— Sophie Williams, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Curry never married or welcomed children, and chose to keep his personal life private throughout his illustrious career.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrious

Adjective

Travis This name is perfect for fans of the Super Bowl-winning tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce (or his famous girlfriend, Taylor Swift).

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
New York’s famous once clamored for co-ops, where tenants are shareholders with equity rather than individual owners of their apartments outright.

— Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

That changed when Carleton Varney, a notable designer from Dorothy Draper & Company, arrived to renovate all 388 rooms on property and allegedly declared that beige would be banned forever.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
While the factual circumstances differ, there are notable parallels between social-media apps and sports-betting apps.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of notable

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“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eminent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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