famous

adjective

ˈfā-məs How to pronounce famous (audio)
Definition of famousnext
1
as in famed
widely known a book about some of the most famous people of the last century

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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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

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 For the last 26 years, the world’s most famous arena has been hollow in June. —James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 30 May 2025 This ethos is perhaps what drove the creation of one of the most famous modular sofas of all time — Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda, which was created for B&B Italia in 1970. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 May 2025 This season, with the franchise enjoying its best success in more than two decades, some of the most famous people on the planet are out in full force to show support — or simply be seen. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 29 May 2025 The other, called Dominator, is owned by the famous chaser Reed Timmer. —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for famous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famous
  1. famed
  2. excellent
  3. celebrated
  4. wonderful
  5. prominent
  6. beautiful
  7. renowned
  8. great
Adjective
  • The famed Michelin Red Guide is coming to Philadelphia, and inspectors are already scouting local restaurants to award the famed Michelin star.
    — Tulasi Srinivas, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
  • Sugar Mill Tucked into the mountainside that starts just meters from the sand, Half Moon's famed Sugar Mill is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Caribbean.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
Definition of famed
Adjective
  • Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.
    — Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025
  • Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Pacino’s The Ritual — which opened in theaters on Friday — has critics not raving, but ripping the celebrated actor’s exorcism film.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • The celebrated poet first visited Medu in disguise.
    — Katie Mitchell, Essence, 7 June 2025
Definition of celebrated
Adjective
  • Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.
    — John Oseid, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 May 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • His script may go over the top, and a generally adept cast (which also includes prominent parts for Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Shalet Monique and others) copes variably with its excesses.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • The two prominent Idaho families joined when Andrus’s youngest daughter, Kelly, married Church’s son Chase in 1989.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • That’s why the pushback by politicians against Homeland Security’s big, beautiful boo-boo has been quick — and hilarious.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Few of the hotels in this city, even the most beautiful among them, feel quite as regal as the Saint James.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025
Definition of beautiful
Adjective
  • While working at a renowned medical device and drug company, Don became part of early efforts involving angiostatin, a compound that briefly made headlines in the 1990s for its potential to inhibit blood vessels feeding tumors.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Brian Newman, renowned trumpeter and bandleader for Lady Gaga's jazz projects, always wanted to be a musician.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of renowned
Adjective
  • The compact structures make great guest houses, home offices, or creative retreats.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • The story now circulating with ever greater popularity is that Jackson was an innocent bystander in the 1919 World Series fix.
    — Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Definition of great

Browse Nearby Words

famishment
famous
famousness
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Cite this Entry

“Famous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famous. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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