FAMOUS Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: How do 'notorious' and 'famous' relate to one another?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. // a notorious gangster

Q: 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

famous

adjective

ˈfā-məs

Definition of famous next

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

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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For

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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

prestigious 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

Examples 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 Back in 1981 and 1982, the race was held in a parking lot adjacent to the Caesars Palace hotel on the Vegas’ famous Strip. —

Dan Cancian, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Related Video Nicki Minaj Transforms Herself for the Met Gala There, visitors can immerse themselves in delights including that Haring carousel (with three-dimensional versions of his famous line drawings for seats) and a ferris wheel conceived by Jean-Michel Basquiat. —

Ian Malone, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024 Recipe and mixology books from famous bartenders, bars, and restaurants are becoming increasingly popular as consumers pry for exclusive recipes. —

Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024 That same soil is what lends poblano chiles—traditionally from Puebla—the peppery flavor that characterizes the most famous local dish, chiles en nogada, says Zach Rabinor, founder of the luxury travel outfit Journey Mexico. —

Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for famous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for famous

Adjective

The Fowlerville Community Theater drew direct parallels between the play — adapted from the famed diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl killed by Nazis in the Holocaust — and the events of Saturday night.

David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
In the upcoming adaptation of the famed Broadway musical, Bailey plays Fiyero, the love interest of Elphaba (Erivo).

Catherine Santino, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024