illustrious
Widely celebrated, admired
Illustrious describes someone or something distinguished by exceptional achievement, fame, or brilliance.
An illustrious career is marked by notable accomplishments.
An illustrious ancestor brought honor to the family name.
The word carries a sense of radiance—the illustrious shine brighter than their peers: She joined an illustrious lineup of past winners.
High in rank, respected
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- esteemedGreatly respected, admired
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
celebrated · acclaimed · notable · prominent · respected · venerated · honored · exalted
Celebrated achievement recipient
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- laurelsWreaths symbolizing triumph
- decoratedMade more visually appealing
- honoredGiven recognition or respect
triumphant · accomplished · meritorious · award-winning · prize-winning · celebrated · storied · vaunted
Impressive, striking beauty
- majestyImpressive supreme dignity
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- magnificenceImpressive beauty or scale
- nobilityTitled ruling class
sublimity · brilliance · radiance · resplendence · stateliness · augustness · luster · greatness
eminent
High in rank, respected
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- esteemedGreatly respected, admired
- distinguishedNotable and respected
renowned · celebrated · acclaimed · notable · prominent · respected · venerated · honored · exalted · reputable
laureate
Celebrated achievement recipient
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
- laurelsWreaths symbolizing triumph
- decoratedMade more visually appealing
honored · triumphant · accomplished · meritorious · award-winning · prize-winning · celebrated · storied · vaunted · heralded
splendor
Impressive, striking beauty
- majestyImpressive supreme dignity
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- magnificenceImpressive beauty or scale
nobility · sublimity · brilliance · radiance · resplendence · stateliness · augustness · luster · greatness · triumph
celebrity
Widely recognized public figure
- stardomCelebrity status achieved
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- iconPictorial screen symbol
legend · superstar · A-lister · spotlight · high-profile · marquee · megastar · idol · personality · headliner
- famefame, famous, celebrity, renown, famed
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- statusstatus, prestige, ranking, reputation, elite
- superlativesexcellent, superb, best, outstanding, supreme
- awarenessalertness, aware, attention, cognizance, conscious
- awe-inspiringawe-inspiring, awesome, breathtaking, jaw-dropping, magnificent
illustriousobscure
Unknown to most
unknown · forgotten · unsung · anonymous · uncelebrated
illustriousinfamous
Having a terrible reputation
ignominious · disgraceful · shameful · disreputable · dishonorable
illustriousundistinguished
Lacking notable qualities
unremarkable · insignificant · mediocre · ordinary · average