variants
also cause celebre
as in celebrity
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about
a cause célèbre from some reality TV show whose fame hadn't even lasted the proverbial 15 minutes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cause célèbre
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—
Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
In fact, he’s become an unexpected new conservative cause celebre as a growing contingent of commentators take his side.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors heard closing arguments Tuesday in the case of Daniel Penny, who has become a cause celebre for some of President-elect 's closest allies.
, a 26-year-old former Marine, is charged in a New York state court with second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide.
—Sean O'Driscoll, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The case also became a cause celebre among Republican presidential hopefuls.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
Opposition to non-compete agreements has become a new cause celebre on the left.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Since then, his fortunes apparently have changed and Floyd has become a something of a cause celebre in conservative circles.
—Chris Joyner, ajc, 29 Aug. 2023
Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive.
—Time, 21 July 2023
Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
In fact, he’s become an unexpected new conservative cause celebre as a growing contingent of commentators take his side.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
Jurors heard closing arguments Tuesday in the case of Daniel Penny, who has become a cause celebre for some of President-elect 's closest allies.
, a 26-year-old former Marine, is charged in a New York state court with second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide.
—Sean O'Driscoll, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The case also became a cause celebre among Republican presidential hopefuls.
—Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos outside the womb are considered children, the fertility treatment known as in vitro fertilization has become a political cause celebre.
—Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024
Opposition to non-compete agreements has become a new cause celebre on the left.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Since then, his fortunes apparently have changed and Floyd has become a something of a cause celebre in conservative circles.
—Chris Joyner, ajc, 29 Aug. 2023
Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive.
—Time, 21 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cause célèbre
Noun
-
People are not buying our cars because a celebrity is driving it.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
-
The historic hotel, originally opened in 1911, has hosted numerous celebrities and dignitaries over the years.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
There is not normally an upside to losing a star player through injury for a lengthy period, but Kaoru Mitoma’s absence from the last 16 games of the 2023-24 season had a silver lining for Brighton & Hove Albion.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, Elizabeth took off, Joel started drinking and this marked the beginning of a spiral for the star.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the person’s name or age.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2025
-
Boise State basketball is doubling up on a Hall of Fame name in the program.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The way Chomet operates, the film’s personality comes across via the detailed and incredibly expressive faces, not the dialogue or its delivery.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 June 2025
-
Rarely did anyone bring to television Julia’s big, warm personality and joie de vivre, which blazed through our little black-and-white screens (before later transitioning, of course, to color).—
Ina Garten,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
In January, Netflix announced a licensing agreement with YouTube superstar Ms. Rachel (a.k.a.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
-
After filling up the stat sheet with a superstar stat line in Game 4, Haliburton managed only eight points and six assists in Game 5 and the Pacers shot 40.5 percent from the field, their worst shooting percentage of any playoff game this season.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
But your hero section should have a singular focus with a compelling, unmistakable call to action.—
Daria Gonzalez,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
Or, optimistically speaking, an opportunity in search of a hero.—
Joanne Frederick,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cause célèbre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cause%20c%C3%A9l%C3%A8bre. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share