CELEBRATED Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When could 'distinguished' be used to replace 'celebrated'?

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

Q: When is 'eminent' a more appropriate choice than 'celebrated'?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated , eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'famous' instead of 'celebrated'?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'celebrated'?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

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

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

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

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

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

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-təd

Definition of celebrated

as in famous

widely known a celebrated author making an appearance on a talk show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

celebrated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of celebrate

as in praised

to proclaim the glory of a personal essay that celebrates the single life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commemorated

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could distinguished be used to replace celebrated?

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

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is eminent a more appropriate choice than celebrated?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is it sensible to use famous instead of celebrated?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 celebrated?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for celebrated?

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

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

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

a notorious gangster

Where would renowned be a reasonable alternative to celebrated?

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, 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 celebrated

Adjective

Along with bandmates including Tom Verlaine, Lloyd, 74, formed one of the more celebrated groups to come from a Bowery rock scene that launched Blondie, the Talking Heads and the Ramones more that 50 years ago. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 Dreamgirls has since been staged around the world, including a celebrated 2016 London production starring Glee breakout Amber Riley, who won an Olivier Award for her performance as Effie White. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Ehudin, a Potomac resident who celebrated his 63rd birthday a week ago, was the only golfer with Baltimore area ties left in Monday’s Round of 64. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 And Hickory Stick Bar-B-Q in Everman recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebrated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrated

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

Verb

Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which brought the lawsuit, praised the ruling.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
The girls’ mother, Stephanie Soares, praised Legaspi and Feir for helping to motivate her daughters, as Naya has adjusted to using her prosthetic foot and Milayna has spent time outside of her wheelchair for the first time in her life.

— Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

In 2022, Parton herself commemorated her first appearance on the beloved Disney Channel series.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Oak Lawn Public Library commemorated the village’s memorial to the tragedy with a visit from its creator.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of commemorated

Adjective

That’s significant because Ross is a descendant of John Ross (also July), the famed leader of the Cherokee Nation in 1835 who vehemently was against the Ridges’ position to leave their homeland.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of famed

Verb

Not for nothing has White Barn Inn been blessed with just about every hospitality and dining award possible—from the endless applause of regional magazines and AAA five diamond ratings to a spot on Traveler's Gold List.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Heads of state, parents of book recipients, music fans, movie fans and, like me, women who felt blessed to have had such a glamorous role model publicly mourned the loss.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of blessed

Adjective

Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The collection, which translated her mental health battles into a universal visual language, became her largest and most renowned body of work.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of renowned

Adjective

Among the prominent figures was Tobias Adrian, Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The movement thereafter played a prominent role in protests across the United States and in other countries, particularly in the wake of the murders of Eric Garner in 2014 and George Floyd in 2020.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prominent

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

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“Celebrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrated. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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