cause célèbre
noun
cause cé·lè·bre
ˌkȯz-sə-ˈleb 
-ˈle-brə
-ˈle-brə
ˌkōz-,
-ˈlebrᵊ
variants
or less commonly cause celebre
plural causes célèbres also causes celebres
same
1
: a legal case that excites widespread interest
2
: a notorious person, thing, incident, or episode
Examples of cause célèbre in a Sentence
a cause célèbre from some reality TV show whose fame hadn't even lasted the proverbial 15 minutes
Recent Examples on the Web
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—
Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
In fact, he’s become an unexpected new conservative cause celebre as a growing contingent of commentators take his side.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors heard closing arguments Tuesday in the case of Daniel Penny, who has become a cause celebre for some of President-elect 's closest allies.
, a 26-year-old former Marine, is charged in a New York state court with second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide.
—Sean O'Driscoll, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The case also became a cause celebre among Republican presidential hopefuls.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
Opposition to non-compete agreements has become a new cause celebre on the left.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Since then, his fortunes apparently have changed and Floyd has become a something of a cause celebre in conservative circles.
—Chris Joyner, ajc, 29 Aug. 2023
Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive.
—Time, 21 July 2023
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.
Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
In fact, he’s become an unexpected new conservative cause celebre as a growing contingent of commentators take his side.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors heard closing arguments Tuesday in the case of Daniel Penny, who has become a cause celebre for some of President-elect 's closest allies.
, a 26-year-old former Marine, is charged in a New York state court with second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide.
—Sean O'Driscoll, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The case also became a cause celebre among Republican presidential hopefuls.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
Opposition to non-compete agreements has become a new cause celebre on the left.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Since then, his fortunes apparently have changed and Floyd has become a something of a cause celebre in conservative circles.
—Chris Joyner, ajc, 29 Aug. 2023
Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive.
—Time, 21 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Cause célèbre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cause%20c%C3%A9l%C3%A8bre. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share