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 next

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 Aztecs are in the 32-team Players Era Festival, the pre-eminent nonconference event over Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas that features many of the nation’s top programs, plus are finalizing a neutral-court game against BYU in the Palm Springs area. —

Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026 And despite their eminent likability, Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle — in the central roles of Catherine and her father, Robert — may even be the wrong actors. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026 Thomas, an eminent artist and scholar, is protean and stubborn, aging and ageless, keenly attentive and impossible to pin down. —

Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026 Keefe, one of America’s pre-eminent investigative journalists, is already having The Snakehead adapted by A24, which is described as a mix between The Godfather and Chinatown. —

Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent

Adjective

Christopher Abbott, Jon Bernthal, Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Ayo Edebiri, Alden Ehrenreich, Luke Evans, Daniel Radcliffe, Laurie Metcalf and Lea Michele are just a sampling of the big-name performers nominated today for 2026 New York Drama League Awards in the distinguished performances category.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Helicopters and trailers arrived in large numbers, famous faces and a distinguished director settled in near grazing cattle, and the cameras started rolling.

— Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Definition of distinguished

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“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eminent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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