Distinguish between the meaning of silent and salient?

"Silent" and "salient" are easily confused because they sound similar, but they have very different meanings:

Silent:

* Meaning: Making no sound; not speaking.

* Example: The library was silent except for the soft ticking of the clock.

Salient:

* Meaning: Most noticeable or important; prominent.

* Example: The salient point of the presentation was the need for increased funding.

Here's a helpful way to remember the difference:

* Silent is related to sound. Think of the silence after a loud explosion.

* Salient is related to standing out. Think of a mountain peak that's salient because it's the highest in the range.