CONSPICUOUS Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

conspicuous

adjective

kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs

Definition of conspicuous next

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention the seven-foot-tall basketball player is conspicuous in any crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obvious

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad conspicuous bureaucratic waste that drives taxpayers crazy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 As the November election approaches, the environmental advocacy group Sierra Club has backed every Democratic U.S. House candidate in Arizona with even a slim chance of winning — with one conspicuous exception. —

Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024 But dozens of sites is a whole lot fewer than hundreds of sites and the statement is conspicuous for its lack of one thing: a deadline by which the work will be done. —

Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 Sep. 2024 The guiding idea, as Houser saw it, would be to weaponize ICE against families in order to inflict maximum pain in the most conspicuous way. —

Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Well balanced, rounded, easy drinking with signature silky 2022 tannins and buoyant acidity that is less conspicuous than that of vintage 2021, but better integrated. —

Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conspicuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspicuous

Adjective

Related Articles There are some minor and barely noticeable physical improvements over previous models, such as a slightly less prominent camera bump in the back.

Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Other experiments are less noticeable but nonetheless consequential: by increasing early voting, for example, states have observed changes in who participates in elections, including those previously left out of the process.

Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024