illustrious

adjective

i-ˈlə-strē-əs How to pronounce illustrious (audio)
Definition of illustriousnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Sandberg made the All-Star game 10 consecutive years in his illustrious Cubs tenure. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025 Victory had stamped his ticket for entry into the sport’s most illustrious member’s club as just the sixth men’s golfer to complete the career grand slam of all four majors. —Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 16 July 2025 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins an illustrious company of players to win MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 The historian-college professor explores Blume’s middle-class, 1950s childhood in New Jersey, to adulthood when her passion for reading turned into an illustrious writing career. —Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
  1. distinguished
  2. outstanding
  3. prestigious
  4. famous
  5. eminent
  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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of prestigious
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
  • That means getting the most famous stars to play, with $1 million for the winning team, eschewing any concerns about who is actually the best at the discipline.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Definition of famous
Adjective
  • To get an authoritative answer, Fortune recruited three eminent executive search experts, each of whom has counseled scores of major boards on managing successions.
    — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 22 July 2025
  • Each year, Central Texas gardeners face eminent heat, drought, floods or freezes, sometimes all four.
    — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Definition of eminent
Adjective
  • Here’s a look at some of the most notable local story lines.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • However, the targets for doing so, with the most notable measure being a bill to formalize digital asset market structure rules, are likely to prove tougher to send to President Donald Trump’s desk.
    — Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of notable

Browse Nearby Words

illustrative
illustrious
illustriousness
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Cite this Entry

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

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