prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈprä-mə-nənt 

ˈpräm-nənt

1

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant

2

a

: readily noticeable : conspicuous

b

: widely and popularly known : leading

prominently adverb

Synonyms

• arresting
• bodacious
• bold
• brilliant
• catchy
• commanding
• conspicuous
• dramatic
• emphatic
• eye-catching
• flamboyant
• grabby
• kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish]
• marked
• noisy
• noticeable
• pronounced
• remarkable
• showy
• splashy
• striking

Choose the Right Synonym for prominent

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 prominent in a Sentence

… and a small precise mouth he kept pursed over teeth a shade too prominent and yellow. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994

When the easy way out seemed to be for a number of prominent men to support a petition to get Davis a pardon, which, if granted, would get the President and others off the hook, Davis was determined to let them hang there. —Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980

His eyes, which tended to bulge when he was exercised, were not quite prominent. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974

I don't mind his calling me raw. He is reckoned raw himself and at the same time perhaps the most prominent of the younger poets here. —Robert Frost, letter, c. 16 June 1913

He quickly became prominent in the music industry.

He placed the award in a prominent position on his desk.

He has a prominent nose.

the most prominent peak in the mountain range

Recent Examples on the Web

One such name was DeSantis, Trump’s former primary challenger and prominent conservative figure. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024

With every testimony, Al-Hamada quickly became one of the most prominent advocates for Syrian prisoners held by Assad's regime, at least 157,000 between 2011 and August 2024, including thousands of women and children, according to a report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR). —Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024

Black Doves follows Knightley’s Helen Webb, who on the surface appears to be nothing more than a doting wife to her husband, Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan), one of Britain’s most prominent Conservative politicians who works for the state’s defense. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024

The move hamstrings one of the most prominent financial regulatory bodies in the U.S., especially at a time when the incoming Republican administration has pledged large-scale deregulation across industries. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English promynent, borrowed from Latin prōminent-, prōminens "projecting, standing out," from present participle of prōminēre "to project beyond a surface, stick out, stick up," from prō- pro- entry 2 + -minēre, taken to mean "stand out, rise above" (unattested without a prefix) — more at minatory

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prominent

• saddled prominent

Kids Definition

prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈpräm(-ə)-nənt 

1

: sticking out beyond a surface or line

2

: easily noticeable

the prominent sound was the drumbeat

3

: distinguished, eminent

our most prominent citizens

prominently adverb

Medical Definition

prominent

adjective

prom·​i·​nent ˈpräm-(ə-)nənt 

: standing out or projecting beyond a surface