the obvious
noun
: something that is easy to understand or recognize
You are stating the obvious. Tell me something I don't already know.
Try to look beyond the obvious.
Examples of the obvious in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In other words, the obvious consequences of artificially boosting worker pay beyond market rates came to pass.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Harmeet Dhillon always seemed to me to be the obvious AG.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Phones are the obvious first step, but the larger question is how much screen time belongs in classrooms at all.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His portrayal of academic life will leave real professors wincing, if not giggling … Despite the obvious research that Martel put into his novel, there are too many gaffes about Homer and Greek epic to persuade any expert.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the obvious
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Editorial, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Harmeet Dhillon always seemed to me to be the obvious AG.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
Phones are the obvious first step, but the larger question is how much screen time belongs in classrooms at all.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His portrayal of academic life will leave real professors wincing, if not giggling … Despite the obvious research that Martel put into his novel, there are too many gaffes about Homer and Greek epic to persuade any expert.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the obvious
Cite this Entry
“The obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20obvious. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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