well-known

adjective

ˈwel-ˈnōn How to pronounce well-known (audio)
Definition of well-knownnext
as in famous
widely known an anchorwoman so well-known that she passes for a local celebrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 well-known The Chain O’Lakes area is especially well-known for its gangster connections back in the day. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The more well-known a property is, the more people care about it. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Diana, the mother of Princes William and Harry, was well-known for her fashionable style during her lifetime. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Naturally, that infatuation translated into a very cool stage name — a name that is becoming rightfully well-known. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for well-known
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-known
  1. famous
  2. famed
  3. prominent
  4. celebrated
  5. renowned
  6. notorious
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
  • 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
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
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
Adjective
  • Advertisement The following day, in a public conversation moderated by renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour, President Nataša Pirc Musar of Slovenia, former Irish President Mary Robinson and I reflected on the choices before humanity.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • His publicist initially told the Associated Press that the renowned designer died of pneumonia, but a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly paints a different picture.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of renowned
Adjective
  • Durham was later apprehended and served time in prison for the crime, but not before selling the paintings to a notorious crime boss who was later found in possession of the art.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Operation Save Skid Row saw federal and city authorities execute 28 arrest warrants and 44 search warrants in an effort to dismantle drug distribution networks in the notorious neighborhood.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of notorious

Browse Nearby Words

welling (up)
well-known
well-meaning
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Cite this Entry

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

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