OUTSTANDING Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of outstanding are conspicuous , noticeable , prominent , remarkable , salient , and striking . While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. // honored for her outstanding contributions to science

Q: When could 'conspicuous' be used to replace 'outstanding'?

The synonyms conspicuous and outstanding are sometimes interchangeable, but conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. // conspicuous bureaucratic waste

Q: When might 'noticeable' be a better fit than 'outstanding'?

The meanings of noticeable and outstanding largely overlap; however, noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. // a piano recital with no noticeable errors

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

The words prominent and outstanding 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 is it sensible to use 'remarkable' instead of 'outstanding'?

The words remarkable and outstanding are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. // a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Q: When can 'salient' be used instead of 'outstanding'?

While in some cases nearly identical to outstanding , salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. // the salient points of the speech

Q: When would 'striking' be a good substitute for 'outstanding'?

While the synonyms striking and outstanding are close in meaning, striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. // the region's striking poverty

outstanding

adjective

au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ

Definition of outstanding next

as in unpaid

not yet paid there are several outstanding bills left, but at least we paid the rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distinguished

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement the award goes to the most outstanding student in science

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective outstanding differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of outstanding are conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, remarkable, salient, and striking. While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

When could conspicuous be used to replace outstanding?

The synonyms conspicuous and outstanding are sometimes interchangeable, but conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

When might noticeable be a better fit than outstanding?

The meanings of noticeable and outstanding largely overlap; however, noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

Where would prominent be a reasonable alternative to outstanding?

The words prominent and outstanding 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 is it sensible to use remarkable instead of outstanding?

The words remarkable and outstanding are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

When can salient be used instead of outstanding?

While in some cases nearly identical to outstanding, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

When would striking be a good substitute for outstanding?

While the synonyms striking and outstanding are close in meaning, 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 outstanding The intrigue: The stock offering was dilutive, increasing the company's potential shares outstanding by about 50%. —

Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025 Prior to her role as U.S. attorney, Sassoon served as co-chief of criminal appeals and earned several awards for her outstanding performance, including the FBI Director's Award for Outstanding Criminal Investigation in 2024 and the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Top Prosecutor Award in 2023. —

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 At the end of the quarter, the Bank had no outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. —

Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2025 President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts extended to Guam on Friday, seeing immigrants with outstanding criminal warrants detained. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for outstanding

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstanding

Adjective

During his postgame media session, Butler alluded to his three unpaid Heat suspensions that preceded Thursday’s trade at the NBA trading deadline to the Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a first-round draft choice.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2025
State of play: The Library of Congress is showcasing a display on Black labor, from slavery starting in the colonial period to unpaid and paid African American workers through the 1960s.

— Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025