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renowned

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verb

past tense of renown

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of renowned are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and notorious. While all these words mean "known far and wide," renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

In what contexts can celebrated take the place of renowned?

In some situations, the words celebrated and renowned are roughly equivalent. However, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When might distinguished be a better fit than renowned?

While the synonyms distinguished and renowned are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use eminent instead of renowned?

The synonyms eminent and renowned are sometimes interchangeable, but eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is famous a more appropriate choice than renowned?

The words famous and renowned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 renowned?

Although the words illustrious and renowned have much in common, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for renowned?

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

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of renowned?

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

a notorious gangster

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 renowned
Adjective
In the island’s oppressive heat, Mark and I strolled over to a neighboring mall, where Ascot Chang, the renowned maker of shirts and suits, has one of its stores. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 And come May, Nobu, a high-end Japanese restaurant founded by renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, will open in the beachfront space formerly occupied by Sheerwater. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 Free admission for kids 5 and under. Learn about Black history through hands-on art experiences at Afro Legacy Fest or check out the museum’s newest exhibitions from internationally renowned artists. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025 The Star spoke to three renowned football coaches — Joey McGuire (Texas Tech University), Joel Applebee (Mill Valley HS) and Sean Martin (Raymore-Peculiar HS) — to better understand what makes Spagnuolo difficult to counter. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for renowned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renowned
Adjective
  • After Saturday’s game in the iconic home for Ohio State football, van Riemsdyk will have a two-game lead on some of the NHL’s most famous players: Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Evgeni Malkin, Brandon Saad, Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews, who have played six games each.
    Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Levin's novels were a hot commodity in Hollywood at the time, especially after the success of his most famous novel, Rosemary's Baby (1967), adapted into a 1968 horror film starring Mia Farrow.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • George Morrison, a former instructor at the famed Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, took Hackman under his wing and schooled him in the Method technique, teaching him to draw from personal experiences in his acting.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In a statement released in December last year, Popovich expressed his desire to return to coaching while showcasing his famed wry sense of humor.
    David Close, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • After reminding me of this quote, Grantham commended Prince, kind of.
    John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Many social media comments, meanwhile, commended Baldoni's promotional message for viewers to always have hope.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But the layered character study also acquires emotional heft from the fact that Rodgers and Hammerstein would go on to become one of the most celebrated creative teams in musical-theater history, far eclipsing Rodgers and Hart.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The legendary rocker again took the stage at Studio 8H on Sunday night (Feb. 16), closing out the three-hour event with a historic nod to one of the most celebrated albums in rock history.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Others complimented the easy assembly and sturdy structure.
    Madison Yauger, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Hawaii Honolulu City Lights is a month-long event within this city, and it is complimented by holiday trees and other decorations and special night themes.
    Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Biden also commuted the sentences of most of the inmates on federal death row, and pardoned prominent figures including the late civil rights leader Marcus Garvey.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The Padres, with their most prominent player back at 100 percent, can at least look forward to starting over.
    Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Family members applauded and cheered, celebrating both his academic achievement and his birthday in unison.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile Clarksville was applauded for its offerings for tourists and locals alike while making room for new businesses like hotels and restaurants.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In Bucha, a Ukrainian suburb that was the site of a notorious massacre, residents worried that they had been abandoned.
    Natasha Frost, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Perkins did, however, take inspiration from one of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in history: the death of JonBenét Ramsey.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Renowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renowned. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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