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 The artist made the massive splatter painting during the pandemic, and counts among his collectors an illustrious list of celebrities, including Madonna, George Clooney, and Bill Gates. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 But illustrious affiliations are no longer necessary to gain an audience. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 The Norwegian has an illustrious history with the European Championship — winning the 1500m/5000m double at the last three editions in Berlin 2018, Munich 2022 and Roma 2024. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 27 July 2026 For all his illustrious accolades, Kansas City Royals star Salvador Perez can now also celebrate one very huge Royals milestone. — Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

Adjective

Football legends such as Charlie Ward, Travis Hunter and Eric Berry headline a distinguished legacy that continues in 2026.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noel Brewer is the Gillings distinguished professor in public health at the University of North Carolina.

— Noel T. Brewer, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

The 180-foot Elena of London can be chartered during this year’s Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, giving you the chance to compete in one of the Mediterranean’s largest and most prestigious regattas.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
But despite being centuries old, the city has a youthful vibe, thanks to being home to the prestigious Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, enrolling over 8,000 students.

— Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

Yellowstone National Park is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and dramatic landscape.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Both players played well, Romero shackling Jude Bellingham for much of the evening, Spence producing a famous recovery tackle on Giuliano Simeone when England were 1-0 up.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

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

Definition of eminent

Adjective

Despite notable achievements in reducing deforestation and directing resources to foster ecological investments, the government has often struggled to counter a conservative Congress where agribusiness interests wield significant influence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
What’s notable in the fights is that players are encouraged to fight smarter than harder.

— Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of notable

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“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrious

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