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 During a Starlink launch this past April, for example, the booster performed the 600th landing of an orbital rocket in SpaceX's illustrious history. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The level of maturity, willing to take a less illustrious step to further his career, was an insight into Suzuki’s mindset. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 During his illustrious career, Lucisano was honored with five David di Donatello awards, including a lifetime achievement honor in 2009, as well as four Nastri d’Argento Silver Ribbon awards. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Known as the Womack Sisters, BG, Zeimani and Kucha, come from an illustrious musical lineage. — Morena Duwe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illustrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious

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

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

Nostalgia is powerful, for schoolchildren and eminent scientists alike.

— Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of eminent

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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“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of illustrious

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