ILLUSTRIOUS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of illustrious are celebrated , distinguished , eminent , famous , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: Where would 'celebrated' be a reasonable alternative to 'illustrious'?

The meanings of celebrated and illustrious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: In what contexts can 'distinguished' take the place of 'illustrious'?

The synonyms distinguished and illustrious are sometimes interchangeable, but distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

The words eminent and illustrious can be used in similar contexts, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When could 'famous' be used to replace 'illustrious'?

The words famous and illustrious 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

Q: When would 'noted' be a good substitute for 'illustrious'?

While the synonyms noted and illustrious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

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

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

Q: When can 'renowned' be used instead of 'illustrious'?

In some situations, the words renowned and illustrious are roughly equivalent. However, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

illustrious

adjective

i-ˈlə-strē-əs

Definition of illustrious

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of illustrious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Where would celebrated be a reasonable alternative to illustrious?

The meanings of celebrated and illustrious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

In what contexts can distinguished take the place of illustrious?

The synonyms distinguished and illustrious are sometimes interchangeable, but distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of illustrious?

The words eminent and illustrious can be used in similar contexts, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace illustrious?

The words famous and illustrious 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 would noted be a good substitute for illustrious?

While the synonyms noted and illustrious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

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

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

a notorious gangster

When can renowned be used instead of illustrious?

In some situations, the words renowned and illustrious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 illustrious During a Starlink launch this past April, for example, the booster performed the 600th landing of an orbital rocket in SpaceX's illustrious history. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The level of maturity, willing to take a less illustrious step to further his career, was an insight into Suzuki’s mindset. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 During his illustrious career, Lucisano was honored with five David di Donatello awards, including a lifetime achievement honor in 2009, as well as four Nastri d’Argento Silver Ribbon awards. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Known as the Womack Sisters, BG, Zeimani and Kucha, come from an illustrious musical lineage. — Morena Duwe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

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

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

Last year, Danish broadcaster DR, Mediatoon Distribution and Belgian producer Creative Conspiracy took top honors for their eminent contributions to the sector and landmark productions.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of eminent

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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“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrious

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