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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective apparent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apparent are clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When is it sensible to use clear instead of apparent?

The meanings of clear and apparent largely overlap; however, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

In what contexts can distinct take the place of apparent?

While in some cases nearly identical to apparent, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When might evident be a better fit than apparent?

While the synonyms evident and apparent are close in meaning, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When can manifest be used instead of apparent?

The words manifest and apparent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

Where would obvious be a reasonable alternative to apparent?

Although the words obvious and apparent have much in common, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When would patent be a good substitute for apparent?

In some situations, the words patent and apparent are roughly equivalent. However, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When is plain a more appropriate choice than apparent?

The words plain and apparent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of apparent The apparent lack of quality control in the Champlain Towers South case should be a red flag to engineers and builders, Mitrani-Reiser said, noting the importance of retaining initial drawings, quality assurance reports and peer reviews. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025 There’s a dedication plaque from 1939, and the craftsmanship of the building is so apparent and beautiful. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025 After the success of the operation became apparent, Trump began to change his tune. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025 When asked where Jean lived, Joseph gave an address that police later identified as Roseau’s, an apparent building on Snyder Ave. Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for apparent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent
Adjective
  • These statements should come from the highest levels of leadership—presidents, boards and deans—and be visible across digital, internal and external platforms.
    John Marino, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Transporter 14's upper stage proceeded to deploy its payloads and release a plume of rocket propellant prior to re-entering Earth's atmosphere, which quickly froze and reflected sunlight, becoming visible to eagle-eyed stargazers in Europe.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • But Cate mentioned obvious areas of interest such as housing, infrastructure, regulations, taxes and fees, trade and the overall cost of living.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Much of this equipment, Weinreb notes, is at the cutting edge of the field, allowing imaging of the retina and other eye structures that was not possible not long ago.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • This might signal that the two are also getting ready for a possible upcoming change.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Similar parents commenting on Diwa's post said the switch made a noticeable difference in their own homes, with several sharing anecdotes of improved moods and calmer transitions to offscreen activities.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Whereas androgenetic alopecia is characterized by the shrinking of hair follicles, which leads to thin, barely noticeable hair, the key indicators of CCCA are inflammation and damage to the follicles.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Turchin family’s lifelong passion for art and design was evident across all the rooms.
    Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
  • That reality is evident almost just from the scale.
    Justin Worland, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
  • That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The three balls previously had gone away quite rapidly, and then there was no visual change to that ball.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Superhero cinema has dominated since then, and Brad Bird's visual style and humor feel less novel.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pattern is unmistakable: just as Enron triggered SOX, AI governance failures will trigger mandatory expertise requirements.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The symbolism of the decision to target this base—the same one that U.S. President Donald Trump visited only two months ago during his tour of Gulf states, and one located in a country that maintains close ties to and shares an offshore gas field with Iran—is unmistakable.
    Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparent. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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