1
2

Try This Instead

For
Try This
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
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 Dickinson, of course, is a multiple time All-American and one of the most famous (and highly compensated) players in America. Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025 Live out your Pride and Prejudice dreams in Derbyshire Several historic manor houses and estates across Derbyshire and the Peak District served as the sets for both the 1995 BBC television adaptation and the 2005 film adaptation of Austen’s most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025 Perry, famous for his volume as a producer, has also turned the titles around swiftly compared to other overall creators at Netflix. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025 Russian ballet companies, including the Bolshoi, were a mainstay of this opulent theater, famous for its flawless acoustics. Michael Robinson Chávez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for famous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famous
Adjective
  • Jackson, 59, is a Chicago South Sider, Black progressive and son of a famed civil rights leader.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The 42nd iteration of the famed culinary festival will take place this year from June 20-22 and will once again take over the mountain town, transforming it into a food-lover's paradise.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Just what is an excellent choice to protect your Mac?
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Kansas City’s secondary is also excellent at tackling and does a good job of limiting explosive runs.
    Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hosted by celebrated guitarist Jennifer Batten and genre-defying violinist Lindsey Stirling, the evening will include live performances and presentations celebrating this year’s honorees.
    Holly Alvarado, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Last June, the couple celebrated Crew's 6th birthday with a fossil-digging and kite party.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • At 6-2, 202 pounds, Will Johnson has excellent size and length for a cornerback and would be a wonderful complement to Gardner.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The property’s prime location is also close to the launch sites of the area’s famed hot air balloon rides, which are a wonderful way to take in the spectacular views of the otherworldly land formations.
    Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bass, who was seated in a prominent position next to First Lady Melania Trump during the fire station briefing, thanked Trump for arriving in the city so soon after his inauguration and countered his claim that the city would slow-walk rebuilding efforts.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Dolphins filled one of two prominent openings on their coaching staff on Friday, hiring Robert Prince as receivers coach. Prince, whose hiring was initially reported by NFL Network and confirmed by a league source, replaces Wes Welker, who was not retained.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The album is often gorgeous and expansive, with several songs running over 8 minutes long that return to Homogenic’s palette of grand string arrangements and booming drums, as if Björk is soothing herself with beautiful melodies.
    Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Jan. 2025
  • This is a kind of hybrid memoir, featuring beautiful images.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Pacific Ridge School is renowned for its commitment to fostering academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
  • These must-see buildings are renowned for various reasons—some for their architectural charm, others for their historical significance, and many for a healthy mix of both.
    Katherine McGrath, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2024 Presidential Greatness Project Expert Survey, which includes members of the American Political Science Association and other scholars, ranked Truman as the sixth greatest president of all time.
    Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • But what makes the coffee shop experience important to us as individuals and a society is something greater than the sum of its parts.
    David G. Allan, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near famous

Cite this Entry

“Famous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famous. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on famous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!