PROMINENT Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'prominent' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prominent are conspicuous , noticeable , outstanding , remarkable , salient , and striking . While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background. // a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

Q: When might 'conspicuous' be a better fit than 'prominent'?

The words conspicuous and prominent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. // conspicuous bureaucratic waste

Q: When can 'noticeable' be used instead of 'prominent'?

The words noticeable and prominent can be used in similar contexts, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. // a piano recital with no noticeable errors

Q: Where would 'outstanding' be a reasonable alternative to 'prominent'?

The meanings of outstanding and prominent largely overlap; however, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. // honored for her outstanding contributions to science

Q: In what contexts can 'remarkable' take the place of 'prominent'?

The synonyms remarkable and prominent are sometimes interchangeable, but remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. // a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Q: When is it sensible to use 'salient' instead of 'prominent'?

In some situations, the words salient and prominent are roughly equivalent. However, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. // the salient points of the speech

Q: When could 'striking' be used to replace 'prominent'?

Although the words striking and prominent have much in common, striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. // the region's striking poverty

prominent

adjective

ˈprä-mə-nənt

Definition of prominent

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention an attorney who occupies a prominent position in the town's social hierarchy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in famous

widely known prominent figures in the history of sports

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prominent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prominent are conspicuous, noticeable, outstanding, remarkable, salient, and striking. While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," 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 might conspicuous be a better fit than prominent?

The words conspicuous and prominent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

When can noticeable be used instead of prominent?

The words noticeable and prominent can be used in similar contexts, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

Where would outstanding be a reasonable alternative to prominent?

The meanings of outstanding and prominent largely overlap; however, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

In what contexts can remarkable take the place of prominent?

The synonyms remarkable and prominent are sometimes interchangeable, but remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

When is it sensible to use salient instead of prominent?

In some situations, the words salient and prominent are roughly equivalent. However, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

When could striking be used to replace prominent?

Although the words striking and prominent have much in common, 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 prominent For America, the feeling in the ‘70s that was really prominent was mistrust in institutions. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 Thomas Robinson's father, Paul, who is a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, was charged in the case and accused of helping hide a safe containing drugs and cash for his son. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Among the most prominent are Voupre, Avinichi, Introstem, CbGäRDN, Venofye, Lionesse and Orogold Cosmetics, which sell a nearly identical line of products. — Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026 The resulting controversy over Envision Evanston became a prominent issue in the run-up to the 2025 mayoral election. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prominent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prominent

Adjective

The research fellow also argued that the additional Russian diesel entering global markets is not sufficient to produce a noticeable reduction in consumer fuel prices in the short term.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
The brand's emblem, which is incorporated into the translucent monoblock LED taillight beneath the seat and is sculpted by the bike's lights themselves, is the most noticeable of all Fragment elements.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

Recent criticism The century-old restaurant guide is famous for its secrecy; its inspectors are anonymous and the company releases only vague information about their evaluation process.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Schumer's vacation photos drew encouragement from several famous friends.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

Ahead of rocking the Pond with its classic hits, the famed norteño band brought its signature sound and activism to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The reveal comes a little more than a month after the famed costume designer passed away at 87.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

Another image showed Fox reclining beneath the same dramatic lighting in a metallic two-piece swimsuit.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Baylor’s big quiet concern Baylor’s McLane Stadium is the centerpiece of a dramatic redesign that gives the city of Waco a visible lift that does nothing but help morale, for the university, students and residents.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dramatic

Adjective

Since 2008, Wake Forest’s ‘Open the Gate’ tradition has allowed some of the university’s most celebrated alumni and friends to participate in the Demon Deacon’s motorcycle arrival at Allegacy Stadium.

— Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrated

Adjective

Advertisement The following day, in a public conversation moderated by renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour, President Nataša Pirc Musar of Slovenia, former Irish President Mary Robinson and I reflected on the choices before humanity.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
His publicist initially told the Associated Press that the renowned designer died of pneumonia, but a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly paints a different picture.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of renowned

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“Prominent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prominent. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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