renowned

adjective

re·​nowned ri-ˈnau̇nd How to pronounce renowned (audio)
Synonyms of renowned
: widely acclaimed and highly honored : celebrated

Synonyms of renowned

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famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious, distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and wide.

famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

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

a notorious gangster

distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

Examples of renowned in a Sentence

Poggio prospected for manuscripts across much of western Europe, visiting the renowned monasteries of Reichenau and Fulda, and wandering as far afield as Cologne, London, Paris, and Rome. —Fred Lerner, The Story of Libraries, 1998
He was renowned for his appetite—in the mid-60's, his daily breakfast consisted of six steaks, four plates of pasta and a dozen eggs … —Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 24 June 1993
… it was hard for me to realize that I was to be honoured by a degree from the oldest and most renowned university in America. —Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery, 1901
a restaurant renowned for its wine list the renowned painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many famous artists have called Santa Fe home over the years, but arguably none as renowned as Georgia O’Keeffe. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 Sutton said The Wounded Blue first purchased the officer a wheelchair before connecting him with a renowned spinal surgeon through the same anonymous donor. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 The hotel’s amenities will include an all-day dining venue, a lobby bar, a spa, and a wine lounge that brings The Little Nell’s renowned wine program to New York. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Both sides are renowned for their physicality, disciplined defending, and explosive pace in transition, and with a place in the Round of 16 on the line, neither will give the other an inch. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for renowned

Word History

Etymology

see renown entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of renowned was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing renowned

Rhymes for renowned

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Cite this Entry

“Renowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renowned. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

renowned

adjective
re·​nowned ri-ˈnau̇nd How to pronounce renowned (audio)
: having renown : celebrated

More from Merriam-Webster on renowned

Nglish: Translation of renowned for Spanish Speakers

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