EVIDENT Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

evident

adjective

ˈe-və-dənt

Definition of evident next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Word of what is happening in the pantry has now spread through the whole mansion, as becomes evident when the patriarch and his wife appear suddenly at the top of the staircase. —

Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 Never was that more evident than in the 17th minute against Bosnia and Herzegovina, when the 26-year-old was unmarked in the opposition box. —

Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Their commitment to indigenous culture is evident from visuals to musical choices, like throat singing. —

Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 16 June 2026 Sitting in the audience, the film’s transcendence of time was evident. —

Karla Cote, Variety, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for evident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident

Adjective

Less than two years after an infant girl died of apparent starvation in Mesquite, the child's parents pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and received lengthy prison sentences.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 20 June 2026
The Sox announced after the game that Sean Newcomb will be the opener Saturday in an apparent bullpen game.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

Definition of apparent

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evidencing

evident

evidently

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“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of evident

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