evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.
an evident fondness for sweets
manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.
manifest hostility
patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.
patent defects
distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.
a distinct refusal
obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.
the obvious solution
apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.
for no apparent reason
plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.
her feelings about him are plain
clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.
a clear explanation
Examples of evident in a Sentence
She spoke with evident anguish about the death of her son.
The problems have been evident for quite some time.
Recent Examples on the WebThe level of care and attention is evident, from the wooden disk room keys to the seeded note paper, which can be taken home and planted.—Stacey Wreathall and Dafydd Gwyon, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2024 From discourse surrounding Dawn Staley’s Louis Vuitton jacket to Angel Reese’s appearance at the 2024 Met Gala, the shift is evident.—Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for evident
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evident.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin evident-, evidens, from e- + vident-, videns, present participle of vidēre to see — more at wit
Middle English evident "clearly seen or understood," from early French evident (same meaning), from Latin evident-, evidens (same meaning), from e-, ex- "out, away" and vident-, videns, a form of vidēre "to see" — related to vision
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