Eminence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈe-mə-nən(t)s/ em·i·nence

Meaning & Definition of Eminence

Eminence (noun)

  1. a position of prominence or superiority
  2. one that is eminent, prominent, or lofty
  3. a person of high rank or attainments —often used as a title for a cardinal

Eminence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the fact or state of being above others in rank or importance

    "the eminence of the Nobel Prize in the field of awards and prizes"

    similar: distinction, dominance, noteworthiness, paramountcy, preeminence, preponderance, preponderancy, prepotency, prestigiousness, primacy, superiority, supremacy, transcendence
    related: celebrity, fame, famousness, glory, honor, kudos, renown, reputation, repute, megastardom, stardom, superstardom, greatness, illustriousness, nobleness, notableness, ascendance, ascendancy, authority, domination, dominion, influence, power, prestige, weight, infamy, notoriety
    near: insignificance, inferiority, mediocrity, obscureness, obscurity

  2. an area of high ground

    "the old citadel sits on an eminence with a commanding view of the city"

    similar: altitude(s), elevation, height, highland, hill, hump, mound, prominence, rise, upland
    related: alp, mount, mountain, peak, butte, mesa, plateau, table, tableland, bluff, cliff, crag, precipice, steep, tor, ridge, sierra, dome, sugarloaf, foothill, hillock, hummock, knob, knoll, downs
    opposite: lowland
    near: dale, dell, depression, dingle, glen, hollow, vale, valley, basin, bottom, bottomland, fen, flat, floodplain, plain, tidewater

Related Entry: Eminence grise (noun)

Eminence grise is a different word from Eminence. The synonyms below are for eminence grise, not for eminence.

  1. the senior member of a group

    "the revered éminence grise of Civil War historians"

    similar: dean, doyen, elder, elder statesman, nestor, senior
    related: better, superior, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    opposite: baby, junior
    near: doyenne, inferior, subordinate, underling, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Eminence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Eminence:

distinction, dominance, noteworthiness, paramountcy, preeminence, preponderance, preponderancy, prepotency, prestigiousness, primacy, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, altitude(s), elevation, height, highland, hill, hump, mound, prominence, rise, upland

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Eminence

Words with the opposite meaning of Eminence:

lowland

Related Words for Eminence

celebrity, fame, famousness, glory, honor, kudos, renown, reputation, repute, megastardom, stardom, superstardom, greatness, illustriousness, nobleness, notableness, ascendance, ascendancy, authority, domination, dominion, influence, power, prestige, weight, infamy, notoriety, alp, mount, mountain

Near Antonyms of Eminence

insignificance, inferiority, mediocrity, obscureness, obscurity, dale, dell, depression, dingle, glen, hollow, vale, valley, basin, bottom, bottomland, fen, flat, floodplain, plain, tidewater

Origin & Etymology of Eminence

Middle English, "exalted position, protuberance," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin eminentia "state of standing out or projecting, protuberance," noun derivative of ēminent-, ēminens "standing out above a surface, projecting, outstanding in merit or importance" eminent

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Eminence

eminence grise, gray eminence

Frequently Asked Questions about Eminence

What does "Eminence" mean?

"Eminence" means a position of prominence or superiority. As a noun, it is defined as: a position of prominence or superiority. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Eminence"?

Other words for "Eminence" include distinction, dominance, noteworthiness, paramountcy, preeminence, preponderance, preponderancy and prepotency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Eminence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Eminence"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Eminence". Common alternatives include distinction, dominance, noteworthiness, paramountcy, preeminence, preponderance, preponderancy, prepotency, prestigiousness and primacy.

What is the opposite of "Eminence"?

Antonyms of "Eminence" include lowland. Near antonyms include insignificance, inferiority, mediocrity and obscureness.

How do you use "Eminence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Eminence" in a sentence: "the eminence of the Nobel Prize in the field of awards and prizes"; "the old citadel sits on an eminence with a commanding view of the city".

Is "Eminence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Eminence" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Eminence"?

"Eminence" is pronounced /ˈe-mə-nən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as em·i·nence.

What is the origin of the word "Eminence"?

"Eminence" comes from Middle English, "exalted position, protuberance," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin eminentia "state of standing out or projecting, protuberance," noun derivative of ēminent-, ēminens "standing out above a surface, projecting, outstanding in merit or importance" eminent. First known use: 15th century.