EMINENT Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'eminent' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated , distinguished , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When could 'celebrated' be used to replace 'eminent'?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When would 'distinguished' be a good substitute for 'eminent'?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Q: When is 'famous' a more appropriate choice than 'eminent'?

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'eminent'?

The meanings of illustrious and eminent largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: In what contexts can 'noted' take the place of 'eminent'?

While in some cases nearly identical to eminent , noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

Q: How are the words 'notorious' and 'famous' related as synonyms of 'eminent'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'renowned' instead of 'eminent'?

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

eminent

adjective

ˈe-mə-nənt

Definition of eminent next

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement many eminent surgeons are on the hospital's staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of eminent are celebrated, distinguished, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could celebrated be used to replace eminent?

The synonyms celebrated and eminent are sometimes interchangeable, but celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for eminent?

In some situations, the words distinguished and eminent are roughly equivalent. However, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is famous a more appropriate choice than eminent?

Although the words famous and eminent have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of eminent?

The meanings of illustrious and eminent largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

In what contexts can noted take the place of eminent?

While in some cases nearly identical to eminent, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How are the words notorious and famous related as synonyms of eminent?

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

a notorious gangster

When is it sensible to use renowned instead of eminent?

The words renowned and eminent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 eminent The first episode starts out with a spoof about how Walsh descends from a long line of eminent justices, all obsessed with doling out the death penalty. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2024 In it, the four eminent and versatile performers discuss their later-in-life professional opportunities. —

Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024 But to Rick Bright, the eminent American immunologist and vaccine researcher, the problem with the CDC’s statements lies in what’s missing. —

Chloe Berger, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024 Introduction By Gregory Barber Contributing Writer September 20, 2024 geometry mathematics symmetry All topics In 1986, after the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its flight, the eminent physicist Richard Feynman was called in to find out what had gone wrong. —

Quanta Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eminent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eminent

Adjective

The American Academy of Sciences & Letters has announced the 10 recipients of this year’s Barry Prize, given to scholars at U.S. colleges and universities for distinguished intellectual achievements in the arts, sciences and learned professions.

Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
In the transcripts, Man Boy Slim—a rickety thin 20-year-old local, with, at a cursory glance, a distinguished career at that time of stealing hubcaps and hunting deer out of season—made many claims about the biologists.

Jeff VanderMeer, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024