Prestigious

adj.capable, hopefulformal

What it means

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.

playful
coveted
when many people strongly desire the honor or role
not when Desirability may come from scarcity or reward rather than respect.
warm
esteemed
when sincere respect matters more than rank
not when Esteem can be local and personal rather than prestigious.
professional
acclaimed
when critics or experts have publicly praised the work
not when Acclaim may fade quickly without creating enduring prestige.
professional
elite
when selectivity and top-tier membership are factual
not when Elite can sound exclusionary and should not substitute for evidence of quality.
professional
high-status
when social position is the exact claim
not when The phrase exposes status but says nothing about quality or merit.
professional
renowned
when being widely known for quality is central
not when Renown is fame and may not carry exclusivity or high status.
formal
distinguished
when a strong record of achievement earns respect
not when Distinguished can describe a person or career without institutional status.
literary
celebrated
when public admiration and attention are visible
not when 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.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.