Synonyms of evident

evident

adjective

ˈe-və-dənt 

1

as in apparent

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

the evident cause of the accident was icy road conditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

the man was discovered dead in his apartment, but there were no evident signs of foul play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective evident contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evident are apparent, clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

How do apparent and evident relate to one another?

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

for no apparent reason

When can clear be used instead of evident?

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

a clear explanation

When would distinct be a good substitute for evident?

The words distinct and evident can be used in similar contexts, but distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When could manifest be used to replace evident?

In some situations, the words manifest and evident are roughly equivalent. However, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of evident?

While the synonyms obvious and evident 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 might patent be a better fit than evident?

While in some cases nearly identical to evident, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to evident?

Although the words plain and evident have much in common, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of evident

Based on recent spending decisions, that level of preparation is not evident. —Carol Mendelson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026

That influence is evident, particularly in his take on the miniskirt—though here, the mood felt less ladylike and decidedly more daring. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026

This kind of boosterism—no less evident in Bernard Lewis’s highbrow argument in The New Yorker that Muslims fear modernity than in Niall Ferguson’s entreaties for the Bush Administration to resume the British Empire’s task of civilizing the natives—always seemed bafflingly sterile to me. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

In recent years, that has become especially evident in cryptocurrency markets, where interest in California has grown from simple participation towards wanting more complex financial strategies. —Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026