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

Relevance

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

Example 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 Robinson was a behemoth in New York—a person whose art was known to many, who befriended a multitude of famous artists, and whose writing was at one point read by just about anybody who mattered in the city’s art world. —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025 In fact, the screen showed a new famous person—from Paul McCartney to Anne Hathaway and Lady Gaga—nearly every time there was a break in the play with virtually no response from the crowd. —

Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 10 Feb. 2025 The shoot itself is meticulously reconstructed—featuring a remarkable turn by Matt Dillon as Schneider’s significantly more famous costar and scene partner, Marlon Brando—in order to contextualize the private and public fallout from Schneider’s equally iconic and traumatizing breakout performance. —

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025 That’s a famous pool in Chicago and Olympics history. —

Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for famous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for famous

Adjective

Earlier this month, Applebee's announced that the date night meal deal would once again be available for purchase through a random drawing, a year after its famed debut.

— Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
The lifestyle maven and famed restaurateur will be co-hosting a new cooking competition series, Yes, Chef, this upcoming spring.

— Charna Flam, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025