famous

adjective

ˈfā-məs How to pronounce famous (audio)
Definition of famousnext
1
as in famed
widely known a book about some of the most famous people of the last century

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind the review gushed that the restaurant offered some truly famous Southern-style cooking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a famous battle
a historical battle
a famed battle
a prominent battle
a notable battle
a notorious battle
famous people
prominent people
noteworthy people
notable people
renowned people
a famous phrase
a classic phrase
a popular phrase
an iconic phrase
a memorable phrase
an immortal phrase
famous players
famed players
iconic players
notable players
illustrious players
legendary players

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of famous are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of famous?

While in some cases nearly identical to famous, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could distinguished be used to replace famous?

The words distinguished and famous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Where would eminent be a reasonable alternative to famous?

The synonyms eminent and famous are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When might illustrious be a better fit than famous?

While the synonyms illustrious and famous are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for famous?

Although the words noted and famous have much in common, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another?

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

a notorious gangster

When is renowned a more appropriate choice than famous?

In some situations, the words renowned and famous 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 famous Some of the escaped inmates were found within the city's famous French Quarter and others elsewhere within the state of Louisiana, but two of them were found in Texas following extensive surveillance efforts by the U.S. Marshals, authorities have said. —CBS News, 9 June 2025 To take famous stan behavior further, some celebrities have even proudly wore their own merch. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 June 2025 Cyrus starred in the Disney Channel series from 2006-11 as a middle schooler who was living a double life as a famous pop star named Hannah Montana. —Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2025 The origin story has, of course, become famous: Julia discovered French cuisine in 1948, when her husband, Paul, a State Department officer, was assigned to the American Embassy in Paris. —Ina Garten, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for famous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famous
  1. famed
  2. excellent
  3. celebrated
  4. wonderful
  5. prominent
  6. beautiful
  7. renowned
  8. great
Adjective
  • The viewer gains the impression of being present for the interview sessions between Turner-Seed, Henri-Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks and the other famed photographers heard on the recordings.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025
  • Legendary comic artist Jack Kirby’s work is featured on the cover as the first cover art of the famed superhero.
    — Scott King, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Definition of famed
Adjective
  • These groups offer excellent opportunities to meet new contacts, stay informed about industry developments, and even discover unadvertised job openings.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • With continued success from not only Tucker, but the entire Cubs lineup as a whole, Chicago has an excellent chance of making a deep postseason run toward the World Series.
    — Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • This year, fourteen of the world's best flamenco companies will perform on stages throughout Albuquerque for what is called the most celebrated flamenco festival outside of Spain.
    — John Burnett, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • The celebrated poet first visited Medu in disguise.
    — Katie Mitchell, Essence, 7 June 2025
Definition of celebrated
Adjective
  • My 10-year-old avocado grown from seed produced two wonderful fruits last year.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • She’s got a wonderful dynamic with Sydney Agudong, who plays Nani.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 June 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • His script may go over the top, and a generally adept cast (which also includes prominent parts for Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Shalet Monique and others) copes variably with its excesses.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • The two prominent Idaho families joined when Andrus’s youngest daughter, Kelly, married Church’s son Chase in 1989.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • This wine estate is located up a beautiful valley west of, and perpendicular to, the axis of the hills that form the Côte d’Or.
    — Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • When the competitions began in the 1990s, judges awarded points for things like beautiful architecture and keeping costs low.
    — Ryan Kellman, NPR, 15 June 2025
Definition of beautiful
Adjective
  • While working at a renowned medical device and drug company, Don became part of early efforts involving angiostatin, a compound that briefly made headlines in the 1990s for its potential to inhibit blood vessels feeding tumors.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Brian Newman, renowned trumpeter and bandleader for Lady Gaga's jazz projects, always wanted to be a musician.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of renowned
Adjective
  • No putt was more important than his 20-foot par putt up the ridge on No. 9 to finish off a great round the right way.
    — Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • Regardless of external conditions, customers continue to demand better experiences, more personalized interactions and greater value.
    — Andrea Guerzoni, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

famishment
famous
famousness
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Cite this Entry

“Famous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famous. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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