What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
salient
Example
The salient feature of the painting was its use of color. [salient: adjective]
Example
The speaker made several salient points during the presentation. [salient: adjective]
striking
Example
The sunset was so striking that everyone stopped to take a picture. [striking: adjective]
Example
The athlete's performance was strikingly impressive. [strikingly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Striking is more commonly used than salient in everyday language. Striking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while salient is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between salient and striking?
Salient is generally considered more formal than striking. While both words can be used in formal or informal contexts, salient is often associated with academic or technical writing, while striking is more commonly used in everyday conversation or creative writing.