Definition of OBVIOUS

Choose the Right Synonym for obvious

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 obvious in a Sentence

Her doctor immediately noticed the obvious signs of the disease. She saw only the most obvious differences. It was obvious that things weren't working out. The answer seems obvious enough to me. The problem was immediately obvious to everyone in the room. He was the obvious candidate for president. The obvious question is: how did he become so successful? For obvious reasons, I would not like to reveal my name.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most obvious hurdle is that installing light-sensitive proteins into cells requires genetic engineering. — Justin Chen, STAT, "Pulses of light restored hearing in gerbils. Could that lead to higher-tech cochlear implants?," 11 July 2018 This news begs the obvious question: How will the show deal with Roseanne's departure? — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Fans Have a Lot of Theories on How ABC's 'The Conners' Is Going to Write Off Roseanne Barr," 22 June 2018 Which leads us to the most obvious aspect of l’Affaire Bee, one that the pearl-clutchers seem to be overlooking. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "What’s So Bad About the C-Word?," 5 June 2018 The model and social media genius took to Twitter to point out the logistical flaws in Trump's plan, since the moral and ethical flaws are more than obvious. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Chrissy Teigen Slammed Trump for His Recent Elizabeth Warren and #MeToo Comments," 7 July 2018 To state the obvious, these are multinational corporations, with an ultimate interest in their bottom lines. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, "The Death of the Public Square," 6 July 2018 One of the more obvious is a big milestone celebrated this week from Darlington and Havre de Grace to Joppatowne and Kingsville to Bel Air – the Fourth of July, more accurately our nation’s independence. — The Aegis, "Our next generation [Editorial]," 6 July 2018 The young man protests that is a statement of the obvious, but Roger insists that there is a precise moment in your life when this recognition of imminence seeps into your bones, and then cannot be shaken off ever again. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago-set 'Support Group for Men' a chance to laugh at our current #MeToo moment," 2 July 2018 Technically, white clothing was supposed to be both a little more breathable and less hot than other colors; presumably, players would sweat less in their whites — and their perspiration would be not be quite so obvious, thanks to the light color. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "Why Wimbledon Players Have to Wear All White," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obvious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.