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

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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

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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

This is how one early Japanese translation of the Declaration of Independence rendered the self-evident truth mentioned in its most celebrated sentence. — Teresa M. Bejan, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Over the course of 12 original studio albums, the 14-time Grammy winner has chronicled heartbreaks and happily-ever-afters that have made her one of the most celebrated songwriters of her generation. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Verb

Priests who learned the older liturgy celebrated it in their own parishes, Lauer said, and over the next several years Traditional Latin Masses expanded across the diocese. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026 As Americans celebrated the country’s 250th anniversary over the weekend, Manolo Blahnik showed some appreciation for one of the designer’s most important markets. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebrated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrated

Adjective

Among them is the viral handbag brand Songmont, whose podcast asks famous directors or actors to discuss topics like self-acceptance and creativity in contemplative two-hour episodes.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Though famous for his love of real-world filmmaking, for shooting on location and doing effects in camera, not in post-production, Nolan likes to point out that his films have won three visual effects Oscars.

— Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of famous

Verb

This one has been commemorated by a gladiatorial contest on the White House grounds and by an, apparently coming up, a long speech by the president of the day.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
On Saturday, the 250th anniversary of the event was commemorated on Pershing Square at the Presidio of San Francisco in a two-hour ceremony.

— Brian Hackney, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of commemorated

Adjective

The billionaire pop titan and the NFL star, both 36, kicked off their wedding festivities Thursday afternoon with a rehearsal dinner at the famed sports arena.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Fast forward to 1953 and the Delage was apparently involved in a fender-bender and dispatched to famed coachbuilder Saoutchik for repairs.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 July 2026

Definition of famed

Verb

Midway through the service, the bishop blessed the shrine grounds with holy water.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
He has been blessed with terrific talent but clearly has melded that talent to win games and keep the clubhouse on the same page.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of blessed

Adjective

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
Born on a farm in Maine, and instructed in local flora by an aunt, Butler availed herself of science classes at the University of Minnesota and went on to become a renowned phycologist.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Definition of renowned

Adjective

One prominent Cherokee named Katteuha co-wrote a letter to Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, urging him to push for peace between the Native people and settlers.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
The effect of protostar outflows on their environment can be seen in the JWST image via the prominent blue ridges.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

To mark the occasion of America’s centennial, the people of Taunton, Massachusetts, invited James Russell Lowell—distinguished poet, founding editor of The Atlantic—to compose and read an ode for the Fourth of July.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative, is a member of the British Parliament and a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute.

— Tom Tugendhat, Washington Post, 2 July 2026

Definition of distinguished

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“Celebrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrated. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of celebrated

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