Synonyms of apparent

apparent

adjective

ə-ˈper-ənt 

1

as in presumed

appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed

at the start of the investigation, the apparent cause of the plane crash was mechanical failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• presumed
• obvious
• possible
• evident
• seeming
• probable
• supposed
• ostensible
• assumed
• putative
• alleged
• reputed
• plausible
• prima facie
• likely
• ostensive
• visible
• superficial
• demonstrable
• distinct
• conceivable
• outward
• external
• manifest
• supposable
• purported
• clear
• claimed
• illusory
• imaginary
• misleading
• deceptive
• illusive
• specious
• plain
• delusive
• feigned
• professed
• pseudo
• phony
• delusory
• fake
• faked
• put-on
• pretended
• so-called

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hidden
• unlikely
• impossible
• inconceivable
• actual
• real
• improbable
• inapparent
• implausible
• confirmed
• genuine
• sure
• valid
• established
• substantiated
• validated
• corroborated
• verified
• authenticated

2

as in visible

capable of being seen

as the fog lifts, the town in the valley below us will become more apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visible
• noticeable
• visual
• observable
• obvious
• clear
• seeable
• evident
• discernible
• striking
• conspicuous
• detectable
• perceptible
• prominent
• superficial
• manifest
• overt
• perceivable
• viewable
• external
• outward
• outer
• plain
• patent
• exposed
• eye-catching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invisible
• disappeared
• dissolved
• vanished
• slight
• imperceptible
• indistinct
• vague
• insignificant
• melted
• faint
• unnoticeable
• unobservable
• inconspicuous
• sightless
• latent
• evaporated
• hidden
• viewless
• obscure
• unobtrusive
• indiscernible
• vaporized
• evanesced
• disguised
• covert
• concealed
• shrouded
• buried

3

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

it's apparent from the smile on her face that she got a part in the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obvious
• evident
• unmistakable
• clear
• straightforward
• distinct
• visible
• manifest
• broad
• palpable
• decided
• unequivocal
• noticeable
• lucid
• transparent
• simple
• unambiguous
• clear-cut
• ringing
• plain
• crystal clear
• luminous
• perspicuous
• patent
• barefaced
• understandable
• bald
• explicit
• tangible
• bright-line
• open-and-shut
• comprehensible
• pellucid
• unambivalent
• intelligible
• nonambiguous
• bald-faced
• luculent
• appreciable
• recognizable
• overt
• discernible
• perceptible
• observable
• cognizable
• knowable
• self-evident
• undisguised
• uncomplicated
• digestible
• fathomable
• tidy
• sensible
• graspable
• self-explanatory
• comprehendible
• clean-cut
• trenchant
• legible
• readable
• cognoscible
• black-and-white
• decipherable
• clean
• well-defined
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unclear
• ambiguous
• mysterious
• obscure
• dark
• indistinct
• equivocal
• clouded
• enigmatic
• cryptic
• incomprehensible
• unfathomable
• unintelligible
• unapparent
• unknowable
• indecipherable
• imperceptible
• subtle
• vague
• inappreciable
• nonobvious
• unclarified
• gray
• insensible
• impalpable
• obfuscated
• indefinite
• indeterminate
• nebulous
• sketchy
• hazy
• imprecise
• slippery
• cloudy
• indiscernible
• murky
• misty
• noncommittal
• illegible
• unreadable
• gauzy
• undecipherable

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

Recent Examples of apparent

Senior center Serah Williams exited the game seconds into the third quarter with an apparent injury to her right lower leg and did not return, finishing with a single rebound and no field goal attempts in eight minutes. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026

Security camera footage obtained by CBS LA shows two men exiting the bar after an apparent confrontation, with one of the men appearing to brandish a weapon before opening fire. —Alys Martinez, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026

The offset wood pattern is striking, the craftsmanship is immediately apparent, and the Boardsmith's end-grain construction keeps your knives sharper longer than standard edge-grain boards. —Lizzy Briskin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026

In a news release Friday, Becchina said both adults died by apparent suicide, which is different from a murder-suicide. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026