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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conspicuous Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the most conspicuous of the animals to emerge from Colossal’s labs, will surely not be the last. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 George Leef made note of the outlet’s conspicuous hostility toward the capitalist enterprise. Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025 There was a point where that was much more conspicuous. Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025 Darrell Jackson/Getty Images Despite recent leaps forward in image quality, the biases found in videos generated by AI tools, like OpenAI’s Sora, are as conspicuous as ever. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conspicuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspicuous
Adjective
  • Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But within weeks, the change in sentiment was noticeable.
    Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With such a depleted draft stash, the Bucks don't have any obvious levers to pull to help bolster their supporting cast alongside Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Hague lamented the rush to reach a deal in the absence of any obvious pressure on Russia but with an intense focus on obtaining for the U.S. the mineral wealth of Ukraine.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And as longer-term followers of MLS will know, there used to be a slash in one of America’s most prominent clubs, too.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • One of the most prominent counterarguments comes from Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), which suggests that governments issuing their own currency can never run out of money.
    Sanford Mann, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • And if the Yavin material is blatant stalling, much of it is entertaining stalling, offering some welcome dark comedy to leaven some of the heavier material elsewhere.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
  • There must also be a clear distinction between errors made in the course of legitimate military operations and intentionally directing attacks against civilians, which is Hamas' standard practice and a blatant war crime.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On election day, early results gave Cárdenas a commanding lead over the PRI’s candidate, Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • After the first leg in Lyon had ended 2-2 last week, United took a commanding lead in Thursday’s return fixture thanks to first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Jets have a glaring need at right tackle after Morgan Moses left in free agency to sign with the rival Patriots.
    Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The jaw-dropping trade pairs Hunter with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and bolsters a defensive backfield that had a glaring need at cornerback.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kawhi Leonard was the star of the show, though, leading the Clippers with 39 points on a remarkable 15-for-19 shooting night.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This kind of relationship with their host tree leads to remarkable accuracy for emerging every 13 or 17 years, Dugas said.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The sight of brown pelicans diving headfirst into the ocean in pursuit of a meal represents one of the distinctive visual images of the California coast, their dramatic flight the highlight of a predatory mission.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know The satellite image showed the U.S. carrier that lost the plane making a dramatic turn on April 25.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Conspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conspicuous. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conspicuous

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