manifest 1 of 3

Definition of manifestnext

manifest

2 of 3

verb

manifest

3 of 3

noun

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

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

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
Masculinity and conflict, for Greenwell, seem opportunities for rurality to most obviously manifest. Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026 A lot of what’s gone on is just multiple expansion, optimism about a weaker dollar, excitement about consumer spending trends overseas and other ephemeral ideas that haven’t yet become manifest in the companies’ actual results. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
None of these women manifested the traits of the disease, because the mutation occurred on one of their two X chromosomes, the other of which lacked the mutation. Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 And Trump’s frequent sparring with the press has manifested in the federal prosecution of journalists, restrictions on press covering his administration, and lawsuits settled with major media companies for tens of millions of dollars. Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Fields have ripples that manifest as pointlike particles. Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026 On our April Mediterranean sailing—he ship’s third since its maiden voyage—the manifest ran the gamut. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • But the picture-perfect rancher’s paradise of Stockyards City is true to its stripes—and nowhere is this more evident than at Cattlemen’s.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
  • That Cobb learned this lesson well was evident as Tony drove us around, pointing out signs of recent change that coexist with the 19th-century churches and school buildings.
    Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The figures had cracked in many places and some of the statues revealed their complicated armature.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • White took to social media after Hokit's win to reveal that a matchup between Hokit and Derrick Lewis had been added to UFC Freedom 250.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The movies embody the spirit and influence of Caravaggio’s work contrasting light and dark, rather than biographical films about the artist, Morong said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
  • If the first season was about grief, and the second about forgiveness, this latest chapter is about moving forward, and no character embodies that struggle more profoundly than Paul.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Stock futures are lower this morning after all three indexes posted their best week in months.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
  • That means it will get included in funds that track the index, such as Invesco’s QQQ, which controls nearly $395 billion in investments.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Officials reviewed nuclear fuel loading, equipment integrity, and high-temperature performance.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2026
  • To help riders, some attractions may offer a storage shelf at the loading station to stow guest's cups or personal items until they are finished riding.
    Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.
    Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The following year, Salling died at age 35 of an apparent suicide.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In addition, Ware continued to display a feathery 3-point stroke, with a pair in the first half.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The idea of metamorphosis is aptly displayed in the Butterfly story, which shows off unenhanced padparadscha and Montana sapphires that form the creature’s wings, alongside fancy vivid yellow diamonds or white oval diamonds to create the butterfly itself.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Beltran said expressing those emotions can bring people together.
    Edie Kasten, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The stateside Prime Video boss also expressed his conviction that the Super Bowl will eventually secure an exclusive berth on his company’s streaming platform, which suggests that Marine has read his John Maynard Keynes.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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