prestige

noun

pres·​tige pre-ˈstēzh How to pronounce prestige (audio)
-ˈstēj
often attributive
Synonyms of prestigenext
1
: standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion
2
: commanding position in people's minds
prestigeful
pre-ˈstēzh-fəl How to pronounce prestige (audio)
-ˈstēj-
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thus far producing and financing more than 100 features, dating back to its origins as Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, the company is also known for prestige dramas like Hell or High Water and The Place Beyond the Pines. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024 Sofia is a runaway success in that regard, balancing prestige drama complexity with theatrical Gotham extremes. —Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024 Chugging along the same prestige track is Emilia Pérez, the buzzy new film from French auteur Jacques Audiard. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024 More fundamentally, China has made its prestige hostage to the success of its axis partners. —Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prestige 

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

prestidigitation

prestige

prestigiation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Prestige.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prestige. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

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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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