Synonyms of conspicuous

conspicuous

adjective

kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs 

1

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention

the seven-foot-tall basketball player is conspicuous in any crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

• noticeable
• prominent
• commanding
• remarkable
• dramatic
• marked
• striking
• impressive
• showy
• pronounced
• brilliant
• visible
• emphatic
• flamboyant
• interesting
• outstanding
• bold
• noisy
• distinguished
• notable
• loud
• eye-catching
• discernible
• arresting
• glaring
• splashy
• noteworthy
• recognizable
• catchy
• salient
• perceptible
• detectable
• highlighted
• observable
• bodacious
• grabby
• eminent
• flagrant
• kenspeckle
• ornate
• extravagant
• gaudy
• ostentatious
• spectacular
• fascinating
• tawdry
• garish
• fancy
• flashy
• meretricious
• glitzy
• pretentious
• swank
• screaming
• opulent
• jazzy
• florid
• overwrought
• enthralling
• engrossing
• riveting
• spotlighted
• absorbing
• glittery
• howling
• overdone
• highfalutin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• unobtrusive
• subtle
• unremarkable
• unnoticeable
• hidden
• obscure
• concealed
• faint
• insignificant
• shrouded
• unemphatic
• unimportant
• dim
• unshowy
• unflamboyant
• undistinguished
• modest
• unaffected
• simple
• unassuming
• plain
• quiet
• unpretentious
• conservative
• understated
• subdued
• restrained
• muted
• unflashy
• toned-down

2

as in obvious

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad

conspicuous bureaucratic waste that drives taxpayers crazy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obvious
• blatant
• glaring
• striking
• gross
• flagrant
• egregious
• noticeable
• pronounced
• distinct
• patent
• prominent
• outstanding
• notable
• marked
• sheer
• clear
• terrible
• remarkable
• salient
• evident
• showy
• dramatic
• rank
• visible
• emphatic
• discernible
• plain
• detectable
• perceptible
• monstrous
• utter
• outright
• eye-catching
• observable
• stark
• shameful
• downright
• absolute
• shocking
• outrageous
• abominable
• arresting
• splashy
• heinous
• out-and-out
• arrant
• awful
• deplorable
• atrocious
• preposterous
• execrable
• lousy
• wretched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• unobtrusive
• imperceptible
• small
• insignificant
• trivial
• slight
• inconsiderable
• inconsequential
• trifling
• unnoticeable
• invisible
• hidden
• concealed

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective conspicuous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conspicuous are noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, and striking. While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

In what contexts can noticeable take the place of conspicuous?

The meanings of noticeable and conspicuous largely overlap; however, noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

When can outstanding be used instead of conspicuous?

Although the words outstanding and conspicuous have much in common, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

Where would prominent be a reasonable alternative to conspicuous?

The words prominent and conspicuous can be used in similar contexts, but prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

When would remarkable be a good substitute for conspicuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to conspicuous, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

When might salient be a better fit than conspicuous?

While the synonyms salient and conspicuous are close in meaning, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

When is striking a more appropriate choice than conspicuous?

The synonyms striking and conspicuous are sometimes interchangeable, but striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of conspicuous

Like other firs, the needlelike leaves of the oyamel fir grow directly from the branch, and the needles’ bases, which are shaped like suction cups, leave conspicuous circular scars when the leaves fall. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

When the cleanup began, AI writing was often betrayed by conspicuous clichés. — Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2026

Birds are conspicuous then – singing, defending territories, building nests and raising young. — Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Spoiler control increases the difference between knowing something about a movie and actually experiencing it; the resulting informational scarcity is a conspicuous kind of subliminal marketing. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026