MANIFEST Synonyms: 237 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

manifest 1 of 3

adjective

ˈma-nə-ˌfest

Definition of manifest next

as in evident

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation despite his manifest lack of leadership skills, the shift supervisor managed to keep his position

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

manifest

2 of 3

verb

as in to reveal

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs a frustration that is often manifested by a minor facial tic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to embody

to represent in visible form graduates of the military academies manifest, we hope, the best that this country has to offer

Synonyms & Similar Words

manifest

3 of 3

noun

as in index

Related Words

as in loading

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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

These concerns stem from high levels of speculative investment—totaling hundreds of billions of dollars—in artificial intelligence with few manifest payoffs, as well as the market’s top-heavy structure, with significant value concentrated in a handful of AI-bullish tech stocks. —

Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 In that vacuum, religious zealots and cults manifest, nihilism thrives, and families are torn apart. —

Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

This can manifest itself in various ways, but one of the most frequent outcomes is vaccine hesitancy, according to a 2023 study from the University of Maine, which interviewed anti-vaccine mothers. —

Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026 In this chapter of Captain Bob’s story, his bad luck manifested in an encounter with the Kraken. —

Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

The manifest showed 95 passengers aboard, though other estimates put the number aboard as high as 140 people, including numerous Chinese and Chinese Americans. —

Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026 The airport said Monday afternoon that there were six people aboard, according to the flight manifest, and all of them died. —

Patrick Whittle, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest

Adjective

The shift away from historically high-paying, white-collar jobs is already evident in the choices Gen Z is making.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
That should be evident for the next six weeks around the Charlotte Sports Complex, as pitchers and catchers — many of whom have already been there working out — formally report Wednesday and take the field for the first official session Thursday morning.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of evident

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“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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