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 Reportedly worth $400 million and widely known to the world outside the confines of Planet Art, the artist can’t help but be conspicuous in a crowd. —

Helen Holmes, ARTnews.com, 19 Nov. 2024 Lots of options are less conspicuous than the one that involves a broken windshield speckled with blood spatter. —

Brian Grubb, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024 The movie’s true set pieces are the professorial villain’s ostentatious monologues using fast food, musical plagiarism, and Monopoly as metaphors to point out how modern religions are just conspicuous iterations of what’s come before. —

Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 The most conspicuous objects on the seabed were porcelain and thousands of rattan canes, intended for use as walking sticks or in furniture-making. —

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conspicuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conspicuous

Adjective

But his rhetoric has taken a noticeable rightward turn in the weeks since Trump’s election victory, particularly on immigration, with Adams boosting the president-elect’s platform and appearing enthusiastic about the incoming administration.

Anthony Izaguirre and Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
In Sunday’s episode (Dec. 1), Moss wore sunglasses after fans showed concern after the Pro Football Hall of Famer appeared on television with a noticeable yellowish tint in his eyes.

DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Dec. 2024