RENOWNED Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated , distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , and notorious . While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Q: In what contexts can 'celebrated' take the place of 'renowned'?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When might 'distinguished' be a better fit than 'renowned'?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

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

The words famous and renowned 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 can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'renowned'?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

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

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

Q: How do 'notorious' and 'famous' relate to one another, in the sense of 'renowned'?

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

renowned 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈnau̇nd

Definition of renowned

as in famous

widely known the renowned painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

renowned

2 of 2

verb

past tense of renown

as in acclaimed

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and notorious. While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

In what contexts can celebrated take the place of renowned?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When might distinguished be a better fit than renowned?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of renowned?

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is famous a more appropriate choice than renowned?

The words famous and renowned 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 can illustrious be used instead of renowned?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for renowned?

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

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of renowned?

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

a notorious gangster

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 renowned

Adjective

At the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, curator John Fields has built a renowned space for visual art, attracting a kaleidoscope of artists and shows over the course of his 12-year tenure. — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 This was last November, a Sunday, and the renowned singer-songwriter was in town to play a gig at the Commonwealth Room. — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Carrasco created the novela with Claudia Souto, with renowned director Amora Mautner taking over the artistic direction. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The 190,000-square-foot Royal Poinciana Plaza, designed in 1957 by renowned architect John Volk in the heart of Palm Beach Island, features lush gardens, palm trees, fountains and two central courtyards. — David Moin, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renowned

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renowned

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

Verb

Over the past four decades, Harrison has carved out a stellar career across a number of literary forms, and has been acclaimed by such writers as Angela Carter, Deborah Levy, and Iain Banks.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Yet its most acclaimed, and valuable, such set imagined a fictional conflict.

— Bob Woods, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaimed

Adjective

Ahead of rocking the Pond with its classic hits, the famed norteño band brought its signature sound and activism to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The reveal comes a little more than a month after the famed costume designer passed away at 87.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Verb

During his first two years as the Lakers coach, Redick admired Williams’ intent on the defensive end from afar and commended the forward’s willingness to defend other teams’ star players.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Set across more than 144,000 square feet, the factory was commended by the award’s organizer, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), for integrating greenery into its design.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of commended

Adjective

Since 2008, Wake Forest’s ‘Open the Gate’ tradition has allowed some of the university’s most celebrated alumni and friends to participate in the Demon Deacon’s motorcycle arrival at Allegacy Stadium.

— Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrated

Verb

James Johnson gifted him his own brand-new Jordans when Powell complimented them during a pre-draft workout.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Any team can win (or lose) on Sundays There’s a reason Andy Reid complimented the opposing team despite poor recent performances and the overall record.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of complimented

Adjective

Perhaps the only prominent Ukrainian who has demanded a wartime election is Fedorov, the former defense minister who elicited the comment about Starshield from Musk.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Mandell’s wife, Elizabeth Heller Mandell, a gallery owner, nonprofit consultant and arts patron from a prominent California family, predeceased him, leaving him in a position to extend her philanthropic work.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Verb

Analysts applauded Apple for introducing HomeView at a reasonable price given all the component shortages.

— Kif Leswing,Annie Palmer,Jordan Novet, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Mitchell, who turns 83 next month and was using a walking stick, also posted a short video clip from the ceremony, in which she was applauded by others gathered in the room.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of applauded

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

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