EMINENT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated , distinguished , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

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

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When would 'distinguished' be a good substitute for 'eminent'?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, 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 'eminent'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'noted' take the place of 'eminent'?

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

Q: How are the words 'notorious' and 'famous' related as synonyms of 'eminent'?

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

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

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

eminent

adjective

ˈe-mə-nənt

Definition of eminent

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated, distinguished, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could celebrated be used to replace eminent?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for eminent?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is famous a more appropriate choice than eminent?

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, 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 eminent?

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

illustrious war heroes

In what contexts can noted take the place of eminent?

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

the noted mystery writer

How are the words notorious and famous related as synonyms of eminent?

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

a notorious gangster

When is it sensible to use renowned instead of eminent?

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 eminent The incident and subsequent discourse has resurfaced contentious racial debates surrounding Clark's presence as the pre-eminent player in the WNBA. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 As the United States celebrates its independence from the UK, the pre-eminent superpower of the past century continues to be culturally co-dependent on its former ruler. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 July 2026 An eminent film critic has written a new analysis of cinema that is propelled by exactly such misgivings. — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 That review led to a roundtable organized by the eminent journal October to discuss Morris’s work and to take stock of the avant-garde production of the ’60s. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for eminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent

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

Adjective

Colbert also made a virtual appearance last week to accept the award for outstanding achievement in variety, talk or sketch from the Television Critics Association Awards.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Wright has had an outstanding camp coming off his best season.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Adjective

The Oscar-winning actress has written a new musical stage adaptation around the character, set to open on London’s prestigious theater scene in the summer of 2027.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Its work-in-progress was also one of five titles at the 2025 prestigious and highly selective Annecy Animation Showcase at the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Adjective

The shows are billed as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of debut LP Reasonable Doubt, which kicked off the 56-year-old’s illustrious career in 1996.

— Sophie Williams, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Curry never married or welcomed children, and chose to keep his personal life private throughout his illustrious career.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of illustrious

Adjective

Celebrity has always been commercial, and famous people have always converted attention into money.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
These waves destroyed a large section of the famous Santa Monica Pier and caused widespread coastal flooding in San Francisco Bay communities.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

This year’s discussion touched on the team’s current positive vibes, the recent addition of Von Miller, their rookie class and other notable performers in camp.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Here are a few other notable towns that ranked among LendingTree’s top 50 for median home value.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of notable

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

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