Definition of evidentnext
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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

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 evident The publication also noted that improvements to the heat shield were evident, despite engineers deliberately testing the system under increasingly demanding conditions. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 That was evident at his memorial service, where about 650 people gathered to pay their respects. Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 At Dior, opulent volume played a central role, which was particularly evident in the fashion house’s signature Bar Jackets, whose sweeping peplum cuts clearly accentuated the hip area. Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 Even so, the impact she’s already made with her experience, energy and depth has been evident. Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for evident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident
Adjective
  • Several police officers responded and found the suspect holding an apparent firearm.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • Elsewhere, manager David Moyes will have been satisfied that right-back Nathan Patterson, who has no apparent future at Everton, got enough minutes in Scotland’s three matches to provide a bargaining lever with any clubs interested in him.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • In unionized environments with collective agreements, policy and law require a job posting even when the hire is obvious.
    Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Running was the most obvious trigger, but long walks, certain pilates classes, tight workout clothes, bathing suits, anything that involved movement or compression made the discomfort worse.
    Anonymous, Allure, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Vogue’s beauty editor-at-large, Arden Fanning Andrews, is a mineral sunscreen loyalist, while senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba prefers an SPF with an unmistakable glowy finish.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • Generations of locals have grown up on its signature franks — split down the middle, grilled in a secret sauce, and served from an unmistakable pagoda-style stand.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Widespread totals of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 6 inches in the strongest thunderstorms, are possible from the western Florida Panhandle to southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and possibly the Texas coast.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • To make that possible, companies must study their audience, track behavior, collect feedback and continually improve the experience rather than treating the website as a frozen asset.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • European football returns to Wrexham this week with the size of the task facing the hosts clear on their Women’s Champions League debut.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The calendar is clear now for another global event that the world will be talking about.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • Thankfully, however, Fast doesn’t reach this in a straightforward, conventional manner.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026
  • Emiliano Martinez kept a foul-crazy Argentina in it with multiple saves — though many were fairly straightforward — with the 2022 world champions not managing a shot until the 117th minute.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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