Widely respected and associated with high status because of recognized achievement or selectivity.
Reach for it when describing an institution, honor, or position's reputation without treating status as proof of fit
She received a prestigious fellowship for research on rural emergency care.
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playful
coveted
Fits when many people strongly desire the honor or role
Careful Desirability may come from scarcity or reward rather than respect.
warm
Fits when sincere respect matters more than rank
Careful Esteem can be local and personal rather than prestigious.
professional
Fits when critics or experts have publicly praised the work
Careful Acclaim may fade quickly without creating enduring prestige.
professional
Fits when selectivity and top-tier membership are factual
Careful Elite can sound exclusionary and should not substitute for evidence of quality.
professional
high-status
Fits when social position is the exact claim
Careful The phrase exposes status but says nothing about quality or merit.
professional
Fits when being widely known for quality is central
Careful Renown is fame and may not carry exclusivity or high status.
formal
Fits when a strong record of achievement earns respect
Careful Distinguished can describe a person or career without institutional status.
literary
Fits when public admiration and attention are visible
Careful A celebrated event may be popular without being prestigious.
prestigious award
The prestigious award recognized decades of careful public service.
prestigious institution
A prestigious institution still has to demonstrate fair access.
highly prestigious
The highly prestigious residency accepts only six composers each year.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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