outstanding

adjective

out·​stand·​ing au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce outstanding (audio)
ˈau̇t-ˌstan-
1
: standing out : projecting
stood on an outstanding rock
2
a
: unpaid
left several bills outstanding
b
: continuing to exist : unresolved
a long outstanding problem in astronomy
was arrested on … an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence chargeKathy Hogan
c
of securities : publicly issued and sold
has 20,000 shares outstanding
3
a
: standing out from a group : conspicuous
There are some outstanding exceptions to this rule.
b
: marked by eminence and distinction
an outstanding student
an outstanding achievement
outstandingly
au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ-lē How to pronounce outstanding (audio)
ˈau̇t-ˌstan-
adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for outstanding

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

Examples of outstanding in a Sentence

Tonight we will honor the school's most outstanding students. You did an outstanding job on the project. the outstanding quality of your work a wine that is outstanding in quality As a president, he was outstanding in many ways. Her novels are outstanding for their complex characters and interesting plots. The painting is an outstanding example of the artist's style. Outstanding among the menu items were the tomato soup and the swordfish. She had several outstanding parking tickets in her car. He left a balance of 50 dollars outstanding on his account.
Recent Examples on the Web Following its release, the episode won four Primetime Emmy Awards, including outstanding television movie and outstanding writing for a limited series, movie, or dramatic special. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 With more borrowers upside-down on their auto loans at the start, there’s a greater need to purchase gap insurance, which generally will pay the difference between the cash value of your vehicle and the outstanding balance on your loan or lease. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Reneé Rapp won outstanding music artist at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, which were presented at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Thursday, March 14. Paul Grein, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Sherri Shepherd scored the award for outstanding host in a talk or news/information series or special, and The Jennifer Hudson Show won for best talk series. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Braugher won two Emmys for his two very different portrayals of a police officer; one for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in Homicide: Life on the Street, and the other for supporting actor in a comedy series with Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 While Watkins was held to a season-low nine points, Forbes, a Harvard transfer, was named tournament most outstanding player, averaging 17.3 points with 3.6 rebounds. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the categories devoted to outstanding writing for a daytime non-fiction series and outstanding writing for daytime non-fiction special have been merged into a new category: Outstanding writing for a daytime non-fiction program. Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The rest of the troupe was on point all night long, led by the outstanding work of founding members Roger Steen on guitar and Prairie Prince on drums. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outstanding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outstanding was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near outstanding

Cite this Entry

“Outstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstanding. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outstanding

adjective
out·​stand·​ing -ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce outstanding (audio)
1
: sticking out : projecting
2
a
: not yet paid : unpaid
outstanding bills
b
: continuing in being : unresolved
problems outstanding
3
: attracting notice especially because of excellence
an outstanding scholar
outstandingly adverb

Legal Definition

outstanding

adjective
out·​stand·​ing
1
: not paid
had several outstanding debts
2
: publicly issued and sold
a million shares outstanding

More from Merriam-Webster on outstanding

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