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 Throughout her illustrious life and career, Gloria Reuben has shared her story through music and acting. — Partner Content, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 Following that illustrious career at West Point, Spatola was active duty from 2002 to 2007, which included a tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom, ESPN said. — David K. Li, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026 The former footballer sat down with Cruise and his brother, Travis Kelce, on their New Heights podcast Friday and spoke about the actor’s illustrious career and star-making movie moments. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026 That was about the energy, the atmosphere, a build-up to an obvious desire to return to such a heady state and an illustrious stage. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

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

In 1987, the New York Humans Rights Commission charged the club with discrimination over its exclusionary membership policies, following similar actions taken against other prestigious clubs like Union League, University and Century Association.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The Hindi-language film has also travelled to prestigious international film festivals, including the Tokyo International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

The person answering questions needn't be famous; just someone who has done the thing.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Shahzada was a history buff, so the family had been to Lebanon to see the ancient Cedars of God forest that the Phoenicians had used to build their ships, becoming the Med’s most famous seafarers.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

The administration’s hostility to the principle and mechanisms of international legal accountability makes eminent if cynical sense in light of its many transgressions.

— Anjali Dayal, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Once the blockbuster 1977 doc Pumping Iron turned him into an international curiosity, eminent photographers began lining up for their own piece of him.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of eminent

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

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Synonyms of illustrious

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