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

Examples of outstanding in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web Pamela Brown will be at the Voting Desk, reporting on voter turnout and the outstanding vote in critical states. Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024 Each won the Emmy Award for outstanding music or comedy program. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024 This clubbed with a 4.6% fall in total shares outstanding resulted in the bottom line of $6.84, reflecting a 1% y-o-y rise. Trefis Team, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Kudos all around to an outstanding technical team who make these people and this place feel real, particularly scenic designer Jeremy Hopgood, costumer Brittany McQueen and hair and wig designer Cornell Jermaine. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outstanding 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstanding
Adjective
  • This lender’s dental loan can also cover pre-operative expenses like X-rays and consults as well as recovery expenses like pain management medications and even living expenses from unpaid time off to recover.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Ghosts were feared, but unlike our modern times, they were also worshiped (the term for ghosts and gods were sometimes interchangeable), captured by humans to perform unpaid labor, and welcomed as ancestors.
    Tithi Bhattacharya / Made by History, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The American Academy of Sciences & Letters has announced the 10 recipients of this year’s Barry Prize, given to scholars at U.S. colleges and universities for distinguished intellectual achievements in the arts, sciences and learned professions.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
  • In the transcripts, Man Boy Slim—a rickety thin 20-year-old local, with, at a cursory glance, a distinguished career at that time of stealing hubcaps and hunting deer out of season—made many claims about the biologists.
    Jeff VanderMeer, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Wynn Las Vegas Director of Wine Brian Weitzman leads this charge, constantly pursuing prestigious bottle acquisitions.
    Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But the biggest stunner in polling, perhaps from the entire cycle, came on Saturday with the release of the final prestigious Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey of Iowa that found Harris leading Trump by 3 points, 47 percent to 44 percent.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There was one notable exception: Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican, got kicked out of a voting center at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix for crossing the 75-foot line that marks the campaigning limit.
    Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
  • In recent decades, news outlets have typically called the presidential race late on election night or the morning after, with two notable exceptions.
    Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The legendary producer, who died on Nov. 3, 2024, is survived by seven children and his grandchildren Quincy Jones accomplished many things in his illustrious career, including his iconic collaboration with Michael Jackson on 1982's Thriller album.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Included in the exhibition are 600 items from throughout Burton’s illustrious career, from props and costumes to stop-motion puppets and his personal artwork.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Though the sci-fi franchise is well-loved by viewers new and old, discussions about adding to its already noteworthy legacy haven’t taken off.
    Sara Belcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • From Kamala Harris' teenage résumé to Donald Trump in an apron working a frier, McDonald's has become a noteworthy topic in the 2024 election campaign.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Mixing session with Los Bunkers, a famous and popular Chilean rock band who Larraín shot recently in Santiago.
    Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
  • When rising to the first team under Ronald Koeman in 2021, Gavi became famous for playing with them undone.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near outstanding

Cite this Entry

“Outstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstanding. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on outstanding

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