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manifest

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verb

manifest

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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

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
The first powerful metaphor in the book's title -- Cracks -- is manifest as Miller describes how his mother filled the cracks of the house boards to prevent summer insects from eating them all alive. Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025 The reasons for the far right’s rise are manifest in his hometown of Niedertreba. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
On the right, this manifested itself as various forms of xenophobia and a wholesale mistrust of institutional figures; on the left, as much of what came to be called cancel culture and its censorious milieu. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 28 May 2025 Colorectal cancer can take years to fully blossom, so the idea is that when these processes take hold in early childhood, cancer manifests at a younger and younger age. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Noun
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket is expensive, and its existing manifest is long already. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025 Impacts on supply chains and global trade take time manifest and even more time to reverse course. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • Koenig noted in her report that the Emergency Department at Waterbury Hospital was crowded and the need for expansion as planned was evident.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, King’s status as a last-minute guest was evident in her clothes, the journalist's green sweatsuit standing out among the black-tie attire.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Diary entries written by Luigi Mangione reveal the now 27-year-old’s detailed thinking before the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, a new court filing shows.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Beyond the To-Do List Host Erik Fisher interviews productivity experts and practitioners, revealing the real-world tactics that help people achieve their goals and get things done.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • In curating the show, Moore sought to elevate artists whose work embodies this tension while also offering something tender, vulnerable, and defiant.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 5 June 2025
  • Whether the character embodied the spirit of the country with startling accuracy or became a self-fulfilling prophecy is impossible to say.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The university’s index of consumer sentiment is down almost 30% since January.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
  • The index advanced for 16 months consecutively from August 2020 to December 2021.
    Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • At Mean Mule, a distillery also in the Crossroads, the grant is helping activate a loading dock located off the alley at the back of their building.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
  • The men allegedly crawled out of the hole to a loading dock, scaled an exterior concrete wall of the jail complex and darted across a freeway to freedom.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Wolff did admit that seeing the positives were difficult, aside from the apparent step in tire management.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • Ukraine goes into this second round of direct talks bolstered by its apparent destruction of Russian strategic bombers and other crucial air assets.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • They were punished with another partial stadium closure in April after displaying banners insulting ex-PSG player Rabiot during a game against Marseille.
    Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • The 2023 Chianti Classico displayed beautiful freshness and elegance, offering pure fruit and immediate charm. Querciabella (Greve, Radda, Gaiole) – With organic and biodynamic vineyards across multiple UGAs, Querciabella champions purity and transparency in every bottle.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The Senate holds a slim majority, and at least four Senators, including Paul, have publicly expressed concerns over parts of the bill (the others are Ron Johnson, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski).
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • And all three other members express regret about George’s indecision costing the group a spot in the lineup for the historic marathon Live Aid concert at London’s Wembley Stadium.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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