eminent

adjective

ˈe-mə-nənt How to pronounce eminent (audio)
Definition of eminentnext
as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Pike will play Jessica Parks, an eminent Crown Court criminal judge, a maverick at the top of her career and married with a son. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 June 2025 Dalla Costa shared her ideas with other feminists, including Selma James, who lived in London and had been married to the eminent cultural historian and Pan-Africanist C. L. R. James. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025 The award ceremony was presided over by Silvia Grilli, editor-in-chief of the eminent Italian fashion magazine, Grazia. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 In 1949 the eminent mathematician Kurt Gödel, a longtime friend of Albert Einstein’s, discovered an exact analytical solution to Einstein’s general theory of relativity that included a rotating cosmos. —Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eminent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent
  1. distinguished
  2. outstanding
  3. prestigious
  4. illustrious
  5. famous
  6. notable
Adjective
  • The organizers of the 2024 Games in Paris allowed some of that city’s most distinguished landmarks to be utilized as part of the spectacle.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 July 2025
  • In June, Adam Sadovsky, with nearly 18 years of experience at Google, most recently as a distinguished software engineer and senior director at DeepMind, decamped to Microsoft.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 22 July 2025
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • He was named to the Maxwell Award watchlist, which is an award that is given yearly to college football's most outstanding player.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Court records show Anderson tried to make good and redeem her home, paying the city $18,900 by the end of 2022 -- more than triple her outstanding taxes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • The film, which has just been announced to world premiere in Toronto’s prestigious Platform competition, is a co-production between Argentina’s Ruda Cine and Switzerland’s Alina Film.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 22 July 2025
  • Mitchell went to Europe immediately after college and has carved out a successful pro career, first in France for two years, then one with a different club in Turkey, then last season with Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania that competes in the prestigious EuroLeague.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025
Definition of prestigious
Adjective
  • The Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club added to its long and illustrious history on Monday when the MVLA Gunners, its under-16 girls team, won the Elite Clubs National League championship in Richmond, Va.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
  • But not the illustrious seasons of Wright’s past, the more dubious ones.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Definition of illustrious
Adjective
  • One hurdle Doggett thinks could get in the way of progress in Austin is its most famous billionaire, Elon Musk.
    — Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Guests have an incredible closeup of Toronto’s most famous landmark, the CN Tower, from the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of famous
Adjective
  • From an immigration crackdown to tariffs that sent shockwaves through the global economy, Trump has had a notable impact on Arizona in the first months of his second term.
    — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • The production filmed across several notable locations in the South American country, mostly in Antioquia, a department in northwest Colombia that lies mostly within the Andes, extending toward the Caribbean Sea.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 23 July 2025
Definition of notable

Browse Nearby Words

éminences grises
eminent
eminently
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Cite this Entry

“Eminent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eminent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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