as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
an illustrious physicist who is a sure bet for a Nobel Prize
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 illustrious
The paper proceeds to paste together a transhistorical collage of names (Aristotle, Carl Linnaeus, Giovanni Morelli, Giorgio Vasari) in the service of the idea that partnership between the arts and science (both undefined) has an illustrious genealogy.
—
Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
With the Yankees’ illustrious history, it’s been hard for Mets players, personnel and even ownership to not look across the dugout and notice sharp disparities in the organizations in the past.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
Bellamy had a long and illustrious Hollywood career that began in the early-1930s with the gangster drama The Secret Six (1931) alongside Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
His own children — particularly Anjelica and Danny — have gone on to illustrious acting careers with John also directing Anjelica to Oscar gold in Prizzi's Honor (1985).
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
With the Yankees’ illustrious history, it’s been hard for Mets players, personnel and even ownership to not look across the dugout and notice sharp disparities in the organizations in the past.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025
Bellamy had a long and illustrious Hollywood career that began in the early-1930s with the gangster drama The Secret Six (1931) alongside Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
His own children — particularly Anjelica and Danny — have gone on to illustrious acting careers with John also directing Anjelica to Oscar gold in Prizzi's Honor (1985).
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illustrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illustrious
Adjective
-
Michel Koopman is the CEO & Founder at CxO Coaching, with a distinguished career as a senior operator and entrepreneur.—
Michel Koopman,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Nestled along the storied banks of the River Thames, 15 Cheyne Walk stands as one of Chelsea’s most distinguished homes, a residence steeped in history, grandeur, and a 300-year-old legacy.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The trouble with international prosecutions The ICC has a long list of outstanding arrest warrants, including for former dictator Omar al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for three decades before being deposed in 2019.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
-
There had been outstanding box-to-box operators before him, most notably Bryan Robson at the league’s inception in the early 1990s, then Keane.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Maxton Hall Season 2 Is Underway — Here’s Everything to Know About the Series' Return When Ruby (Harriet Herbig-Matten) accidentally uncovers an explosive secret at her prestigious high school, millionaire heir James (Damian Hardung) has to keep her close.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
He was named the state’s top player but wasn’t selected for the prestigious McDonald’s high school All-American game despite being the No. 19 recruit in the Class of 2024, per the 247Sports Composite.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If the book falters, the production numbers – some based on famous Marilyn images and tropes, like the Seven Year Itch‘s subway grate scene, and the Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend bit – are suitably flashy.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The film features a beloved, A-list British cast, a famous Australian villain and a cameo by the author of the bestselling book series, which debuted in 1958.—
Lesley O'Toole,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In his 2019 book Human Compatible, the eminent computer scientist Stuart Russell argues that AI systems’ ability to deceive humans represents a fundamental challenge to social trust.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
14 Jan. 2025
-
The eminent physicist Enrico Fermi was visiting his colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico that summer, and the mealtime conversation turned to the subject of UFOs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
When the puck entered the net behind Sorokin, Ovechkin dove to his stomach in celebration — evoking memories of his notable swim in a D.C. fountain during Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup celebratioin.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Still, Tanev achieved a notable milestone by setting Toronto’s all-time single-season block record.—
Nick Ashbourne,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Illustrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illustrious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share