CELEBRATED Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'celebrated' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When could 'distinguished' be used to replace 'celebrated'?

While the synonyms distinguished and celebrated are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Q: When is 'eminent' a more appropriate choice than 'celebrated'?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated , eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'famous' instead of 'celebrated'?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'celebrated'?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: When would 'noted' be a good substitute for 'celebrated'?

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

Q: How do 'notorious' and 'famous' relate to one another, in the sense of 'celebrated'?

Notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. // a notorious gangster

Q: Where would 'renowned' be a reasonable alternative to 'celebrated'?

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

celebrated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-təd

Definition of celebrated

as in famous

widely known a celebrated author making an appearance on a talk show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

celebrated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of celebrate

as in praised

to proclaim the glory of a personal essay that celebrates the single life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commemorated

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word celebrated different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrated are distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could distinguished be used to replace celebrated?

While the synonyms distinguished and celebrated are close in meaning, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is eminent a more appropriate choice than celebrated?

While in some cases nearly identical to celebrated, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When is it sensible to use famous instead of celebrated?

The synonyms famous and celebrated are sometimes interchangeable, but famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of celebrated?

The meanings of illustrious and celebrated largely overlap; however, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When would noted be a good substitute for celebrated?

In some situations, the words noted and celebrated are roughly equivalent. However, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

How do notorious and famous relate to one another, in the sense of celebrated?

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

a notorious gangster

Where would renowned be a reasonable alternative to celebrated?

Although the words renowned and celebrated have much in common, 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 celebrated

Adjective

The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Like many of Chicago's most celebrated theaters the Uptown was part of the Balaban & Katz chain. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Tip Top Shoes celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2025, a milestone which included an Adidas collaboration through the retailer’s sister store, West NYC. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026 The Giants took a 21-14 lead when Skattebo broke multiple tackles on a 16-yard touchdown run with about nine minutes remaining and celebrated with a backflip. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebrated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrated

Adjective

Wagmor became famous in 2019 after the organization was featured on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Then the heart-wrenching, disturbing discussion of why Nevada became famous overnight was brought up.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Verb

More than half of that money has come from a venture capitalist who has publicly praised Elon Musk and a political action committee run by Airbnb, the rental giant currently facing a lawsuit from the city for price gouging during the wildfires.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Hamas praised the attack in a statement but did not claim responsibility.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of praised

Adjective

Well, at least not the incarnation most fans of the famed Philly basketball series remember from its heyday.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their masterwork, The Black Parade, the show marked the first time a band has had a residency of that length at the famed venue.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Verb

And while he’s been blessed by natural talent and physicality, his rise through the system has been a journey of sacrifice and education.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Linguine Nerano This falls short in the way most Trader Joe’s frozen pastas do, resembling airline food when you’re blessed enough to have it.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of blessed

Adjective

His new film, which centers on secrets in a renowned vineyard uncovered, slow-burn-style, by a worker and wine critic, aims to land in the $3-$5 million range and potentially attract some even bigger-name talent.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
The Swedish baritone Peter Mattei, who sings Lincoln, is tall and rightly renowned for his rich, unmuddy voice, here channelled into plausible Midwestern vowels.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of renowned

Adjective

On election night in 2025, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani began his victory speech by quoting Eugene Debs, one of the most prominent socialists in 20th-century American politics.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Owners Atlanta Dream The scheduling dispute also drew attention beyond the league, with prominent figures weighing in on the unusual Thursday afternoon tipoff.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

Even among the most distinguished tracks in this knowingly suite-like album, White doesn’t resist his tinkerer’s instinct for microstructures.

— Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
While further plot details can’t be spoiled, the opening sequence has Tarantino’s distinguished style of writing and visually, the Hollywood of 1977 is, in true Fincher style, gritty and dark.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Browse Nearby Words

celebrate

celebrated

celebrates

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Celebrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrated. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of celebrated

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes