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Synonyms

stand out

British  

verb

  1. to be distinctive or conspicuous

  2. to refuse to agree, consent, or comply

    they stood out for a better price

  3. to protrude or project

  4. to navigate a vessel away from a port, harbour, anchorage, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. informal

    1. a person or thing that is distinctive or outstanding

    2. ( as modifier )

      the standout track from the album

  2. a person who refuses to agree or consent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
stand out Idioms  
  1. Protrude, project, as in Those reliefs stand out from the building walls . [First half of 1500s]

  2. Be conspicuous, distinctive, or prominent, as in He's so tall that he always stands out in a crowd . [Mid-1800s]

  3. Refuse to comply, remain opposed, as in The one juror is standing out against a guilty verdict . [Late 1500s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Job seekers are looking to stand out by gaining new AI-related skills or by simply adding AI buzzwords to their work history.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 15, 2026

Hammerheads stand out from other shark species by the distinctive shape of their heads, which stick out perpendicular to their bodies in the shape of, well, a hammer.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 15, 2026

Of course, it’s always been the case that to stand out in the hiring process one needs to offer something that other job candidates don’t.

From MarketWatch Aug. 13, 2026

A platform where users have more control, or simply feel less overwhelmed, could stand out in a crowded market.

From BBC Aug. 9, 2026

The genius inventor didn’t want to stand out anymore.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

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