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

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

That contrast was also manifest in the relative outcomes; the White House only belatedly announced deals for the sale of 200 Boeing jets and at least $17 billion of American agricultural products annually to China through 2028. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 May 2026 Part of what makes this season so compelling is that Ohtani has made his desires so manifest. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 May 2026

Verb

This has manifested in a few different ways, from classically sleek loafer styles in more pliable fabrics to a hybrid that looks like a cross between boat shoes and moccasins. — Mayte Salido, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2026 In perhaps the coolest reversal in the show thus far, the Lanterns are attacked with guns that produce darkness, which manifests here as smoke but prevents them from seeing or creating light constructs. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Noun

Improved sleep, stronger recovery, and greater physical resilience manifest as sharper judgment in the boardroom, steadier decisions under pressure, and a leader who remains resilient. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The excitement could continue to grow if NASA can maintain its aspirational mission manifest of 79 launches and 73 lunar landings between now and 2036. — Clive Neal, The Conversation, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest

Adjective

That wasn’t for a lack of skill, though, and his repertoire has again been evident this summer during another productive training camp.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
That was quite evident at Evans on Saturday afternoon in this year’s edition of the Soul Bowl.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of evident

Verb

Players have revealed their concerns about harassment and death threats reaching a traumatizing level.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Astrophotographer Kevin Boardman captured this spectacular view of the Crescent Nebula, revealing intricate filaments of gas surrounding a massive star nearing the end of its life some 4,700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reveal

Verb

During the 1960s and ’70s, Morgan embodied and inspired historic changes in how women lived and thought.

— Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
The contrast between relief and despair is rarely more stark than on a tennis court, where two players embodying those emotions stand across the net at the end of a match and shake hands.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of embody

Noun

Sports stars, celebrities and business heavyweights could enter from an interior loading dock area to a blue carpet backstage, allowing access into the club without having to navigate the crowds.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
The White House announced Arcade on social media with a series of animations parodying Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo loading screens.

— Lou Kesten, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of loading

Verb

Artificial intelligence developers are expressing alarm that AI could destroy humanity in the next few years, and industry leaders are calling for a slowdown in its development.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
At the blue red carpet rollout last week, the actress, known for portraying Olivia Benson in the NBC franchise, expressed excitement to do something different from her longstanding work on the show.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of express

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“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of manifest

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