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prominent

adjective
prom·​i·​nent | \ ˈprä-mə-nənt How to pronounce prominent (audio) , ˈpräm-nənt\

Definition of prominent

1 : standing out or projecting beyond a surface or line : protuberant
2a : readily noticeable : conspicuous
b : widely and popularly known : leading
Other Words from prominent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about prominent

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Other Words from prominent

prominently adverb

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Tomato dishes have been prominent throughout Alabama’s history. — al, "Serve a meal inspired by Alabama’s 200-year history," 20 Aug. 2019 Defender Lieske Carleer and forward Callie Darst are prominent in that group. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, "ASU athletic year begins with soccer seeking to build on 2018 gains," 20 Aug. 2019 Clapping for the ball has been prominent in college football, and Kingsbury is now trying to bring it to the NFL. — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, "With two weeks left in NFL training camps, several teams still unsettled at quarterback," 17 Aug. 2019 Grill peaches 5 minutes, or until grill marks are prominent and peaches are slightly softened. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, "Grilled peaches make a great cocktail, too," 14 Aug. 2019 USA Gymnastics' logo is prominent on banners that encircle the competition floor - as difficult to ignore as the absence of signage of corporate sponsors that defected in the wake of the Nassar scandal. — Anchorage Daily News, "Simon Biles blasts USA Gymnastics: ‘You had one job . . . and you couldn’t protect us!’," 7 Aug. 2019 Second, the pattern of injury does not appear to be frostbite, as the cold causes vasoconstriction that would be most prominent in the toes and the cold air touches more of the circumference of toes. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Not technically frostbite, but Antonio Brown’s feet might have gotten worse in cryotherapy," 7 Aug. 2019 Decades ago, the species was once prominent across Texas. — Peter Dawson, Houston Chronicle, "Texas prairie dogs get a new home on the range," 5 Aug. 2019 Amid the country’s descent into civil war beginning 1974, Ethiopian Jews became more prominent as political revolutionaries, active in rebel struggles against the military regime. — Suyin Haynes, Time, "The Red Sea Diving Resort," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prominent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of prominent

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for prominent

Middle English promynent, from Latin prominent-, prominens, from present participle of prominēre to jut forward, from pro- forward + -minēre (akin to mont-, mons mountain) — more at mount

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More Definitions for prominent

prominent

adjective
How to pronounce prominent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of prominent

: important and well-known
: easily noticed or seen
: sticking out in a way that is easily seen or noticed

See the full definition for prominent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

prominent

adjective
prom·​i·​nent | \ ˈprä-mə-nənt How to pronounce prominent (audio) \

Kids Definition of prominent

1 : important or well-known prominent citizens

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