A remarkable synonym should match two things: how strong your praise is and whether the thing is good or just unusual. Notable, striking, outstanding, extraordinary and exceptional cover most needs, from a quiet nod to loud applause.
The literal meaning is worth remembering: remarkable means worth a remark. A remarkable silence is not good or bad, only noticeable. For pure admiration, see impressive synonyms and extraordinary synonyms.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
notable, outstanding, extraordinary, strikingPart of speech
Adjective (adverb: remarkably)Most formal
noteworthy, singular, momentousMost casual
mind-blowing, something elseStrongest
phenomenal, astounding, staggeringAntonyms
ordinary, unremarkable, mediocreWatch out
Notable and noteworthy are neutral. Do not use them when you mean high praise.Word forms covered
remarkably, remark
Neutral notice or real praise
Split the options first. Some words only say something stands out; others say it is excellent.
| Type | Words | In use |
|---|---|---|
| Stands out | notable, striking, unusual, distinctive | A striking lack of color. |
| Excellent | outstanding, exceptional, superb | An outstanding final season. |
| Surprising | astonishing, startling, staggering | A staggering rise in rent. |
| Historic | momentous, landmark, historic | A landmark court ruling. |
Turning up the volume
The strip begins with notable, which simply flags something worth mentioning. Striking adds visual or sudden impact. Impressive brings admiration. Extraordinary says the thing is far beyond normal, while phenomenal shouts, so keep it for toasts, pep talks and gushing reviews.
In academic writing stay near the left side: "a notable increase" sounds careful, while "a phenomenal increase" sounds like marketing.
Remarkable synonym swaps that change the tone
- A remarkable recovery becomes an extraordinary recovery.
- Her remarkable talent becomes her exceptional talent.
- The results were remarkable becomes the results were striking.
- A remarkable day in history becomes a momentous day in history.
- A remarkable resemblance becomes an uncanny resemblance.
- That cake was remarkable becomes that cake was something else (casual).
Remarkably and other forms
The adverb remarkably swaps for strikingly, notably, unusually or surprisingly. "Remarkably calm" becomes "surprisingly calm" when the calm was unexpected, or "unusually calm" when it simply differed from the norm. The noun remark itself means a comment; see mention synonyms for that family.
Pick by setting
Essays and reports: notable, noteworthy, significant. Reviews: outstanding, superb, memorable. Speeches and awards: extraordinary, exceptional. Talking with friends: amazing, mind-blowing, quite something.
A quick test helps: if a teacher or editor will grade the piece, lean neutral and let a figure or detail carry the praise. If a friend will read it over breakfast, let the bigger, warmer words in.
Traps and false friends
Strange and odd share the unusual sense but carry a negative edge. Famous means widely known, not impressive. Unique claims nothing else like it exists anywhere, which goes well past remarkable. Incredible literally means not believable, so in formal writing about evidence, choose a different word.
Antonyms of remarkable
Unremarkable and ordinary are neutral. Average suggests a middle score. Mediocre and forgettable are criticism. Commonplace fits things seen everywhere, and run-of-the-mill is its relaxed spoken version. Choose the neutral pair for fair reports and the critical pair only when you mean to judge.
- Our rental apartment was tidy yet thoroughly unremarkable.
- A mediocre plot spoiled great acting.
Frequently asked questions
Which word beats remarkable for strength?
Extraordinary, phenomenal and astounding are stronger. Use them for results or talents far beyond normal.
Is notable a compliment?
Not exactly. Notable means worth noticing and works in neutral reports. Pair it with praise when needed: a notable success.
Can I write outstanding in place of remarkable?
Yes, when you mean excellent. Outstanding is always positive, while remarkable can describe anything unusual.
What suits remarkable in an academic paper?
Notable, noteworthy and significant sound measured. Significant has a statistical meaning, so use it carefully with data.
Which antonyms of remarkable are common?
Ordinary and unremarkable are neutral opposites. Mediocre and forgettable add a negative judgment.