prestige

noun

pres·tige pre-�?stēzh

-�?stēj

often attributive

Synonyms of prestige next

: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion

: commanding position in people's minds

prestigeful

pre-�?stēzh-fəl

-�?stēj-

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for prestige

influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others.

influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously.

used her influence to get the bill passed

authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief.

his opinions lacked authority

prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority.

the prestige of the newspaper

weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices.

their wishes obviously carried much weight

credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others.

his credit with the press

Example Sentences

Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige. The job has low pay and low prestige. The family has wealth and social prestige.

Recent Examples on the Web Susan Moss suspects this is a misimpression of prestige. —

Ron Charles, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023 But greater volume is diametric to exclusivity, and as the price points inevitably lowered, so did the level of prestige. —

Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2023 Loss of prestige is one thing though, the political impact of any economic downturn resulting from a shrinking population is quite another. —

Feng Wang, The Conversation, 18 Jan. 2023 In some cases, the prestige of a new car is a requirement for work. —

Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 3 Jan. 2023 Eventually, even elite schools will lose their current veneer of prestige. —

Victor Davis Hanson, Arkansas Online, 26 Dec. 2022 And to all of a sudden go from this lofty level of prestige to flashing your breasts to a gorilla — that feels like a pretty steep drop. —

Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022 Gerken said, however, the prestige is not worth the cost to low-income students. —

Camilo Fonseca, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Nov. 2022 That rollercoaster of steep learning curves, building new things, and prestige is a very attractive environment. —

Fortune, 5 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prestige.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of prestige was in 1829

See more words from the same year