fame

noun

ˈfām How to pronounce fame (audio)
Definition of famenext
1
as in notoriety
the fact or state of being known to the public many go to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reputation
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general he has some fame locally as an honest antiques dealer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 fame Always negotiating between interior life and attention, Yayoi Kusama had a late fame that spawned long lines and an Instagrammable way of experiencing art. — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Parton, who died Tuesday, was instantly memorialized for her country music fame, glitzy glam and humanitarian touch. — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 As the trailer continues, several cast members question their places in each other’s lives as their fame — and infamy — increases. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fame
  1. notoriety
  2. reputation
  3. celebrity
  4. repute
  5. renown
Noun
  • Her notoriety and the public’s fascination with the case, some historians have argued, led to Borden’s acquittal.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy’s is not the first case of a mother accused of killing her children to gain such notoriety.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of notoriety
Noun
  • It is anticipated that the new complex would include a wide range of amenities, further solidifying Palmares' reputation as a destination where golf is just the beginning.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Angst over Meta’s public reputation likely played a role in the decision to settle so early, experts said.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • Johnson looked to Tracey Cunningham—the celebrity colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional US creative director of color and technique—for the job.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Its celebrity pedigree is astonishing (spokespersons and fans include Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, etc), its offerings are robust, and many, if not most of its products, are five-star successes.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of celebrity
Noun
  • And the ecological values of roadless areas are beyond repute.
    — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Petviashvili’s repute has grown steadily since her early debut.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of repute
Noun
  • Despite her worldwide renown, Dolly Parton resisted award recognition several times in her prolific career.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Bell’s tenure leading the institute included the museum’s 2014 expansion and relocation to UConn’s main campus in Storrs — and its increasing renown within and beyond the professional theater world.
    — Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of renown

Phrases Containing fame

Browse Nearby Words

falters
fame
famed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All