manifest 1 of 3

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
Eventually, Moroccan authorities checked a flight manifest and found that Abdelhamid had flown to Istanbul, Turkey. Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 27 May 2025 But 113 years ago, almost to the date, reporters were banging on her father's door for word of the fate of this dashing Baltimore debutante who was listed on the RMS Titanic's manifest. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
The nearness of God’s grace and God’s love is surely manifest in the election of a Holy Father whose origins are from somewhere that to many may seem unlikely and even miraculous. Mark R. Francis, Time, 10 May 2025 Despite manifest flaws, U.S. political and economic systems retain enormous strength. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
Gender dysphoria and confusion arise at different points of life, manifest in what even activists consider a fluid spectrum of ways, and have been abandoned by detransitioners. The Editors, National Review, 19 June 2025 This drift has not manifested through rewriting the constitution itself, although some have voiced the idea of replacing it entirely. Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • The Turchin family’s lifelong passion for art and design was evident across all the rooms.
    Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
  • That reality is evident almost just from the scale.
    Justin Worland, Time, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Instead, recent events in Iran have revealed that anti-Americanism can bind an alliance together only so much.
    Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025
  • Yzerman’s appraisal of the market is revealing, though.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • In April, Maryland became the first state in the nation to codify such universal screening into law, a breakthrough embodied in SB 0740, the SFC Matthew Fast Act.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • For upland bird hunters, witnessing the mesmerizing poetry in motion embodied in the work of great dogs is the main attraction of the pursuit.
    Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The Hang Seng Tech index was last seen 1.29% higher as of 12.21 p.m. local time.
    Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • Higher tariffs prompt market worries, more talks ahead The S&P 500 stock index was down nearly 1% in Monday afternoon trading, while the interest charged on the 10-year U.S. Treasury noted had increased to nearly 4.39%, a figure that could translate into elevated rates for mortgages and auto loans.
    Josh Boak, Twin Cities, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Four cameras followed Tucker during his walk in from a loading dock located, fittingly, in the right-field corner.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Silver loading refers to when insurers increase premiums for silver-level health insurance plans in order to offset the cost of subsidies.
    Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Birdsong’s apparent beanball came in the exact time and place that the unwritten rules prescribe: two outs, bases empty, first pitch.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • Other Demographic Differences Women’s second fall persistence rate (79.3%) exceeded that of men (76.3%), continuing a trend that’s been apparent for several years.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • Oh well, that’s OK then, and doesn’t display any lack of proper validation of update integrity before release at all.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The Ace of Wands invites you to embrace this fresh, creative energy and start to express your true self more.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Nearly half of transgender boys and men express worry that accessing care would result in someone calling the police or being involuntarily hospitalized, according to The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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