evident

adjective

Synonyms of evident
: clear to the vision or understanding
Choose the Right Synonym for evident

evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended.

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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In recent decades, however, the once-proud music mag has devolved into hipster drivel, and nowhere is that more evident than in their ranking lists. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 With his signature precision and elegance, Haider has quickly found an expansive and mesmerizing visual language — evident in everything from casting choices to garment construction. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 The evident pride and excitement across every dance proved essential to the audience’s desire to stay with them. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 There are no evident shifts at Slice Club, even though most of the characters are high school students. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evident

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evident was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evident. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

evident

adjective
: clear to the sight or mind : plain
was evident that they were twins
Etymology

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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