manifest 1 of 3

manifest

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verb

manifest

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective manifest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manifest are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of manifest?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When could clear be used to replace manifest?

The words clear and manifest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 manifest?

The meanings of distinct and manifest largely overlap; however, 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 manifest?

While in some cases nearly identical to manifest, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

Where would obvious be a reasonable alternative to manifest?

While the synonyms obvious and manifest are close in meaning, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When can patent be used instead of manifest?

The words patent and manifest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 manifest?

Although the words plain and manifest have much in common, 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 manifest
Adjective
How did these ‘small changes’ manifest in your personal life? Sophie Williams, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025 As the ship continued to fill, something different about the passenger manifest became apparent. Doug Most august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Environmental impact The same concept – that urban policymakers know better than rural Americans – is manifest in the modern environmental movement. Kayla Gabehart, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2025 The most worrisome elements at the moment are Trump’s own swampy impulses that not infrequently manifest, such as tariffs (the most prominent), antitrust regulation, a sovereign wealth fund, campus speech codes, regulation of concert ticket prices, drug price interventions and the like. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
That dream never manifested, and eventually, the republican government’s international legitimacy was transferred to the surging mainland. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025 And in 2024, Carpenter played a sunset set on the main stage, manifesting her return as a headliner during her performance. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • Stark’s honest opinion happens to be a fact as evident in a variety of statistical observations prior to Kershaw’s final regular season start at Dodger Stadium.
    Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Throughout the episode, an invisible string is evident between the two, with their paths crossing in strange ways since 2005.
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Originating at the Stanford House, a historic farmhouse built in 1843, the hike reveals fantastic views of the 65-foot Brandywine Falls with lots of tall oak, hickory, and beech trees along the way.
    Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Former Vice President Kamala Harris revealed in her new memoir that 107 days was not enough time to win a presidential election, while offering a behind-the-scenes look into intimate moments and decisions during her historic presidential campaign.
    Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Few have embodied that strategy more than Paxton, who has often been described as focusing on culture war issues as attorney general.
    Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Casey’s vision for the future is to scale her impact by teaching, speaking, and writing more broadly—helping practitioners and clients alike embody a functional, authentic approach to psychology.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • All major indexes dipped slightly Tuesday, with tech shares such as Nvidia and Microsoft pulling back.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Over the past year, Grab has increased by more than 70%, significantly surpassing many main indices and a wide range of tech competitors during the same timeframe.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The freefall ended with glowing lanterns illuminating the mine walls before riders were brought back to the loading platform.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
  • However, arms control agreements limit current loadings to four or five.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kansas City’s limitations in the running game have become apparent, exacerbated by a difficult early schedule against title contenders the Chargers and Eagles.
    Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Some of those who attended the show saw its apparent message of adversity and resilience as a commentary on present times.
    Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ekitike has displayed that in his general play but also his goal celebrations — like the talking hand gesture in the Community Shield, when speculation over Isak’s arrival was still feverish, or his bow in the Merseyside derby — and dancing to his song post-match.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • An electronic board displays a share price of the Nikkei index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on March 4, 2024.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
    Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
  • When the team won the AFC Championships in January 2025, Esposito posted a celebratory TikTok expressing her excitement at attending her boyfriend's third Super Bowl together.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

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