The crossword clue “how something distinctive appears” is typically answered with PROMINENTLY in recent New York Times puzzles.

Clue and answer

  • Clue: How something distinctive appears
  • Common modern answer: PROMINENTLY (11 letters).
  • This clue/answer pairing has been used in the NYT crossword, most recently in an October 2, 2025 puzzle.

Quick solving tips

  • “Distinctive” suggests something that stands out , so you look for adverbs like “plainly,” “clearly,” or, in this case, “prominently.”
  • If you know the grid wants 11 letters and you have crosses like P‑R‑O‑M‑I‑…, “PROMINENTLY” becomes the best fit.

TL;DR: If you see “how something distinctive appears” in a major American crossword, fill in PROMINENTLY. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.