stand·out
ˈstand-ˌau̇t 
often attributive
: one that is prominent or conspicuous especially because of excellence
stood out; standing out; stands out
1
a
: to appear as if in relief : project
b
: to be prominent or conspicuous
stands out from the crowd
2
: to steer away from shore
3
: to be stubborn in resolution or resistance
Synonyms
Examples of standout in a Sentence
Noun
She is a standout among the available candidates.
All the cameras we tested were good, but there was no real standout.
Verb
the relief figures stand out from the wall quite strikingly
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023
While appliance prices are fairly uniform across retailers, one standout is Costco, which typically sells its stock at 20 percent less than other stores, says Brasler.
—Laura Daily, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023
The standouts for me and most likely to be remembered are Drake, Migos, and possibly Cardi B.
Also Read
QUOTE/UNQUOTE
Looking back over the last 50 years, who is an unsung hero, someone who made a big impact on hip-hop who doesn’t get credit?
—Spin Staff, Spin, 8 Sep. 2023
Their division counterparts are all expected to be postseason contenders, and their schedule includes potential NFC standouts in the Lions, 49ers and Seahawks.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
But the 3-star standout knows what to expect come kickoff.
—Mike Perrin | , al, 7 Sep. 2023
The former Dimond star and University of Southern California standout is set to become the latest in a short list of Alaskans to play in a regular season game Sunday when the Dolphins play the Los Angeles Chargers for their season opener on the road.
—Josh Reed, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
Other sporting events have also caught the attention of the new governor, a former high school basketball standout and a wide receiver for Division III Johns Hopkins University.
—Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 30 Aug. 2023
Alexander was a standout after the coaching staff watched the film.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
Even in this violent landscape, El Salvador stood out.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
In terms of personal achievements, Qingfeng Wu stood out as the best male artist of the year, while G.E.M. shone as the best female artist of the year.
—Billboard China, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2023
Cnn this past week published an egregious example of news media deferring to power — one that stands out in a sea of such examples in recent years.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 17 Sep. 2023
Wetting the surface of a fossil or rock allows mineral particles and textures to stand out.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
While the entire starting lineup struggled to stand out, a timid shooting night from Mabrey was the gravest limitation on the Sky’s scoring.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
That stands out in a year that has been the worst for I.P.O.s since 2009, according to an analysis by EquityZen, a marketplace for private company stock.
—Don Clark, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
In the Chargers game, a few aspects of Tagovailoa’s game stood out.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
The real standouts are the thick, bone-in pork chops, which have a beautiful pink smoke ring along the bone end, and the lean shoulder clod, an old Texas cut with long beefy strands beneath a thick, smoky bark.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023
While appliance prices are fairly uniform across retailers, one standout is Costco, which typically sells its stock at 20 percent less than other stores, says Brasler.
—Laura Daily, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023
The standouts for me and most likely to be remembered are Drake, Migos, and possibly Cardi B.
Also Read
QUOTE/UNQUOTE
Looking back over the last 50 years, who is an unsung hero, someone who made a big impact on hip-hop who doesn’t get credit?
—Spin Staff, Spin, 8 Sep. 2023
Their division counterparts are all expected to be postseason contenders, and their schedule includes potential NFC standouts in the Lions, 49ers and Seahawks.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
But the 3-star standout knows what to expect come kickoff.
—Mike Perrin | , al, 7 Sep. 2023
The former Dimond star and University of Southern California standout is set to become the latest in a short list of Alaskans to play in a regular season game Sunday when the Dolphins play the Los Angeles Chargers for their season opener on the road.
—Josh Reed, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
Other sporting events have also caught the attention of the new governor, a former high school basketball standout and a wide receiver for Division III Johns Hopkins University.
—Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 30 Aug. 2023
Alexander was a standout after the coaching staff watched the film.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Verb
The autumnal wreath is designed with artificial maple leaves, small pumpkins and gourds, and bows that are sure to stand out on the front door.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
Even in this violent landscape, El Salvador stood out.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
In terms of personal achievements, Qingfeng Wu stood out as the best male artist of the year, while G.E.M. shone as the best female artist of the year.
—Billboard China, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2023
Cnn this past week published an egregious example of news media deferring to power — one that stands out in a sea of such examples in recent years.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 17 Sep. 2023
Wetting the surface of a fossil or rock allows mineral particles and textures to stand out.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Sep. 2023
While the entire starting lineup struggled to stand out, a timid shooting night from Mabrey was the gravest limitation on the Sky’s scoring.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
That stands out in a year that has been the worst for I.P.O.s since 2009, according to an analysis by EquityZen, a marketplace for private company stock.
—Don Clark, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
In the Chargers game, a few aspects of Tagovailoa’s game stood out.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Standout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standout. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
standout
1 of 2 noun
stand·out
ˈstan-ˌdau̇t
: one that is well-known or outstanding especially because of excellence
stand out
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)stan-ˈdau̇t
1
: to stick out from a surface : project
2
: to be easily seen or recognized
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