Immediately noticeable because of unusual beauty, force, or distinctiveness.
Reach for it when praising visual, verbal, or conceptual impact without assuming all attention is positive
A striking band of blue tile marks the entrance from across the square.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when attracting visual attention is the main effect
Careful Eye-catching can describe something garish or alarming.
everyday
Fits when strong contrast, scale, or change creates the effect
Careful Drama can feel theatrical and need not be attractive.
warm
Fits when beauty or impact briefly overwhelms the viewer
Careful Stunning is stronger and centers a personal reaction.
professional
Fits when recognizable difference matters more than beauty
Careful Distinctive features can be neutral or undesirable.
formal
Fits when the quality deserves thought or comment
Careful Remarkable is broader and can emerge only after close examination.
literary
arresting
Fits when attention stops abruptly in elevated prose
Careful Arresting may suit disturbing imagery as readily as praise.
striking contrast
The striking contrast helps readers distinguish warning from guidance.
striking feature
A curved timber roof is the hall's most striking feature.
visually striking
The poster is visually striking without sacrificing legibility.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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