Definition of PRESTIGE (original) (raw)

often attributive

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

: commanding position in people's minds

Choose the Right Synonym for prestige

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 The series starts with an amusing bit about Agatha being trapped in a prestige TV crime series instead of a housewife sitcom, and then the parodies continue as the characters embark on the Witches’ Road. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 19 Sep. 2024 Too often what makes it to our screens, even in the high-gloss guise of prestige programming, isn’t a triumph of intelligent, boundary-exploding storytelling. —Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 During the July installment of Amazon Prime Day 2024, WWD Shop editors were adding cult-favorite prestige products to our e-carts, like the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Dyson Airstrait, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. —Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024 Sports offer prestige, global reach to billions of fans, and a fun, dynamic space for people to interact and network. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prestige

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 2 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on prestige

Last Updated: 25 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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