DISTINGUISHED Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , notorious , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

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

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

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

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When can 'famous' be used instead of 'distinguished'?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When might 'illustrious' be a better fit than 'distinguished'?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished are close in meaning, illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

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

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished 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 'distinguished'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'renowned' take the place of 'distinguished'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished , renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

distinguished 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈstiŋ-(g)wisht

Definition of distinguished

as in imposing

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner heads turned as the well-dressed, distinguished couple strode through the hotel lobby

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a distinguished astronomer who is widely respected in the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distinguished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distinguish

as in differentiated

to understand or point out the difference in even at such a young age, he could distinguish the calls of various birds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characterized

to be an important feature of a collection of recipes distinguished by their ease and simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in identified

to find out or establish the identity of learned at an early age to distinguish the sound of a piano in an orchestra

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noticed

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes could barely distinguish the garden gate through the mist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in classified

to arrange or assign according to type on the exam we were asked to distinguish the specimens by acidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of distinguished are celebrated, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, notorious, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

When is it sensible to use celebrated instead of distinguished?

The words celebrated and distinguished are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When could eminent be used to replace distinguished?

Although the words eminent and distinguished have much in common, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When can famous be used instead of distinguished?

The meanings of famous and distinguished largely overlap; however, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When might illustrious be a better fit than distinguished?

While the synonyms illustrious and distinguished 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 distinguished?

In some situations, the words noted and distinguished 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 distinguished?

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

a notorious gangster

In what contexts can renowned take the place of distinguished?

While in some cases nearly identical to distinguished, 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 distinguished

Adjective

Christie’s devoted an unusually substantial section of its catalogue to the pair, tracing their distinguished provenance through some of Europe’s great eighteenth- and nineteenth-century collections. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 30 June 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

Verb

In addition, the Commission distinguished between the purposes of its various publications. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 But from the beginning, America distinguished itself by embracing risk-takers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who were willing to challenge convention in pursuit of a better future. — Steve Case, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for distinguished

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distinguished

Adjective

The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.

— Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026
There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Definition of imposing

Verb

What’s even more striking is the fact that the Puerto Rican scalloped hammerheads were not only differentiated from the Northwest Atlantic population, but also showed genetic separation from populations sampled in Belize and Brazil!

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
The wrap varieties are differentiated by the sauce, which comes in classic, spicy, or blackened Ranch flavors.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026

Definition of differentiated

Verb

El Niño describes a pattern characterized by warmer water in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In the public imagination, Novak Djokovic has tended to be characterized as the greatest defensive player in the history of men’s tennis, and, along with Andre Agassi, as the best returner.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of characterized

Verb

The Wayne County Coroner's Office identified the victims as Hiteshkumar Suthar, Hinaben Suthar and Isha Suthar, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
If your pet already has a microchip, make sure the information is up to date; sometimes, even pets with microchips can’t be identified because the phone number associated with them has been disconnected.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of identified

Verb

Even in Caracas, where only five buildings collapsed, Rodríguez said at least 30 additional structures have already been classified as unsafe.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Royalties and license fees are classified as ordinary income under the tax code, taxed at the same rates as wages, not the preferential long-term capital gains rates that apply to appreciated assets held over a year.

— Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of classified

Adjective

In Bunia and Rwampara, 75 decontaminations and 57 safe and dignified burials have been carried out by teams directly supported by UNICEF and partners.

— Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Expanding and elevating dignified work to meet our society’s unmet needs provides one of our most promising paths.

— Gene Sperling, Time, 1 July 2026

Definition of dignified

Browse Nearby Words

distinguishably

distinguished

distinguishes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distinguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distinguished. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distinguished

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on distinguished

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes