as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize
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Recent Examples of illustrious
Perez now stands alongside the greatest catchers in the game — and deservedly so, given his illustrious career.
—
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Once Prater’s now-illustrious game-winning kick sailed through the uprights, Ferguson jubilantly reminded everyone of his late-week prognostication.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
As this year’s host of MTV’s VMAs, the legendary musician and actor understands the importance of setting the atmosphere for one of music’s most illustrious nights.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Each floor has engaging photography, sculptures, and art, generating an illustrious atmosphere for guests.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Once Prater’s now-illustrious game-winning kick sailed through the uprights, Ferguson jubilantly reminded everyone of his late-week prognostication.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
As this year’s host of MTV’s VMAs, the legendary musician and actor understands the importance of setting the atmosphere for one of music’s most illustrious nights.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Each floor has engaging photography, sculptures, and art, generating an illustrious atmosphere for guests.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
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The event features a 155-foot-long table adorned with 139 candles and meticulously set with 1,452 pieces of cutlery for 160 distinguished guests, NBC News reported.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Set in Columbus, Indiana, a city known for its unusual concentration of distinguished modern architecture, it’s centered on Casey, a teen-age girl with a difficult family background whose aesthetic passion has been awakened by the city’s masterworks.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Herbert is playing outstanding football, and while their running game has been very pedestrian, their air attack is looking good.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The 6-foot-3 left-hander has been outstanding, completing 71 of 106 passes for 772 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The century-old competition, held every four years, is considered as prestigious as a Michelin star—and many award-winning chefs have earned both.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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Nick grew up playing Australian Rules Football, which includes both kicking and handballing, and by his senior year of high school was playing at the Brisbane Lions Academy in the Australian Football League, the sport’s most prestigious organization.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Until recently, the Norman conquest of England was one of the most famous historical episodes in Anglo-American culture.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Syed’s case was made famous by the 2014 podcast Serial, which won a Peabody Award for its investigation that explored whether Syed was wrongfully convicted.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Wiser Than Me, which sees Dreyfus interview eminent older women, who have included Jane Fonda and Julie Andrews, and ask for advice on life and aging, will return for a fourth season.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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Noguchi Prestige is a limited edition release crafted by Noguchi Naohiko, a 92-year-old industry icon commonly regarded as the pre-eminent sake brewer in all of Japan.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Outside of Seville, Thompson, Lyles, and Bednarek keeping the Jamaica versus USA rivalry alive, the most notable observation of the race is that 50% of the finalists were from African nations, a strong feat for an event typically dominated by the aforementioned countries.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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One particularly notable viral video featured the son of a provincial government minister posing in front of a tree made from boxes of luxury labels including Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Gucci.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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