Definition of PROMINENT

Examples of prominent in a Sentence

… and a small precise mouth he kept pursed over teeth a shade too prominent and yellow. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
When the easy way out seemed to be for a number of prominent men to support a petition to get Davis a pardon, which, if granted, would get the President and others off the hook, Davis was determined to let them hang there. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980
His eyes, which tended to bulge when he was exercised, were not quite prominent. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
I don't mind his calling me raw. He is reckoned raw himself and at the same time perhaps the most prominent of the younger poets here. —Robert Frost, letter, c. 16 June 1913
He quickly became prominent in the music industry.
He placed the award in a prominent position on his desk.
He has a prominent nose.
the most prominent peak in the mountain range

Recent Examples of prominent from the Web

Showcase of Louisville’s most prominent contemporary genres featuring Cheyenne Mize, Kendall Carter, Church Friends and 1200.

— gege reed, The Courier-Journal, "10 must-see concerts July 6-12", 5 July 2017
More popular colleagues such as Shinjiro Koizumi, the 36-year-old son of a former premier, have taken a prominent role in the Tokyo campaign.

— isabel reynolds, Bloomberg.com, "Battered Abe Looks to Fend Off Party Defector in Tokyo Election", 29 June 2017
There’s an evil twinkle in her eye that is super prominent — one that is definitely out of character.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""Pretty Little Liars" Finale Recap: "A.D." Is Revealed", 28 June 2017
The West Wing’s princeling adds a prominent trial lawyer to his team as the Russia investigation looms.

— vanityfair.com, "Jared Kushner Lawyers Up", 27 June 2017
Many prominent Black thinkers and leaders have also maintained her innocence.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "8 Things To Know About Assata Shakur And The Calls For Her Return From Cuba", 26 June 2017
More: Councilman Dan Johnson should be removed, prominent women say Those cease-and-desist letters, from Johnson's attorney, were sent against caucus advice, the report says.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Top Democrats want Dan Johnson kicked out, investigation shows", 23 June 2017
Of those debates, perhaps none is quite so prominent as that of analog versus digital recordings.

— riordan zentler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At Cow Records in Ocean Beach, one man keeps the vinyls spinning", 23 June 2017
A University of Leipzig survey of citizens’ political views over the last 15 years indicates extreme right-wing views and anti-democratic attitudes are far more prominent in public discourse now than in previous years.

— sumi somaskanda, The Atlantic, "A New, New Right Rises in Germany", 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prominent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prominent

Middle English promynent, from Latin prominent-, prominens, from present participle of prominēre to jut forward, from pro- forward + -minēre (akin to mont-, mons mountain) — more at mount

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

prominent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of prominent

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. a piano recital with no noticeable errors remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. a film of remarkable intelligence and wit prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background. a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. honored for her outstanding contributions to science conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. conspicuous bureaucratic waste salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. the salient points of the speech striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. the region's striking poverty