prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh How to pronounce prestige (audio)
-ˈstēj
often attributive
1
: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion
2
: commanding position in people's minds
prestigeful 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

Examples of prestige in a Sentence

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 Although a resort with this much prestige could be stuffy and unapproachable, The Breakers is anything but. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 The pairing of Strong opposite Michael Imperioli, making his Broadway debut as Peter, Thomas’s brother and the mayor who leads the charge against him, lends the revival a certain cable-drama prestige. Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 That ambition has created both enormous administrative strain and a competition for prestige. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht is the zenith of art fairs in quality, prestige, and cachet. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 14 Mar. 2024 The Latinx prestige projects of Lux Films For De Los, Fidel Martinez spoke to Sergio Lira and Lynette Coll, the co-CEOs of Lux Films, a media company with a focus on Latinx projects. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 This transition also provides liquidity opportunities for early investors and often brings greater prestige and market visibility to the company. Peter Goldstein, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 He’s helmed prestige projects from auteurs like Guillermo Del Toro and David O. Russell and taken creative risks with films out of left field (see: American Sniper). Eric Farwell, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Encouraged by her ideas around diversity and clean, prestige hair care, Sephora took a bet on the then-budding brand and in turn, transformed the hair care category (and ultimately, Twine's life trajectory). Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prestige.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near prestige

Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prestige. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prestige

noun
pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh How to pronounce prestige (audio)
-ˈstēj
: importance in the eyes of other people
prestigious
-ˈstij-əs
adjective
prestigiously adverb
prestigiousness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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