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
The chance to get the scoop on the scandal straight from the mouth of the man who made it, as well as his living-the-dream experience of working alongside his hero, is enough to make this required viewing for anyone interested in hip-hop legacies and fanboy fantasies made manifest. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026 The region’s North African influences (Tunisia lies just across the coast) are acutely manifest in its cuisine—San Vito Lo Capo hosts an annual couscous festival and chickpea fritters, pistachios, and spices such as saffron and cinnamon feature across many of its restaurants’ menus. Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Just as often, though, survivors manifest no burns, bruises, or scars. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026 The investment manifests differently depending on the rosters. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
Such is the case in Wuthering Heights with Cathy (Margot Robbie), who sees her desire for Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) made manifest by various goos, oozes, and slimes found on the Yorkshire moors. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026 Recently, Wade was moved to a detention center in Louisiana, and his attorney said he was placed on a flight manifest to Jamaica this week. Olivia Young, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • Nowhere is this more evident than in Florida, where there are 281 local and state agencies with over 300 agreements, according to a Miami Herald analysis of ICE data.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This shift is particularly evident in the popularity of T-Shirt Bras, which are designed to vanish under clothing while providing a smooth, rounded shape.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • What the trap revealed, aside from being the first of its kind to be discovered in picturesque surroundings, was a terrible ordeal for whale and human alike.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
  • An investigation revealed that the man had been shot in a residential area at the 3600 block of Hamilton Avenue.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The peril and promise of the moment are embodied in this song.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
  • There’s a maddening human truth tucked into the fact that everyone — from Lebedev’s forceful, hopeful young daughter Sasha (Maya Shoham) to the lout Borkin, whom Labbadia embodies irresistibly as a kind of Bronx-y hustler — is drawn to this man in free fall.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The project is still in development, but early versions of similar internal AI tools at Meta are already being used by employees to search company data, index documents, and assist with work tasks.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The dollar index, meanwhile, has strengthened around 3% since the start of the war.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • When my sister and I left the building, the morgue techs were still parked in the yellow loading zone between Target and Tower Cleaners—our dad’s dry-cleaning place—and just closing the tailgate of the hearse.
    Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
  • If its loading facilities were knocked out, Iran's ability to export oil would collapse almost immediately.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Three weeks into the conflict, the toll is becoming apparent.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The result is effortlessly chic, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Lobby Bar—an understated name for such a striking space.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Acme dealt with this by displaying alternate forecast lines for both rain and snow, coded in different colors—a visualization that doubled as an admission that the forecast that day was a bit of a mess.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military chaplains would no longer display their rank insignia.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The material splendor and virtuosic craftsmanship of these gifts expressed both political power and Christian devotion.
    Sarah Kozlowski, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • While the bill is largely supported by House and Senate members, some have expressed concerns about the prospect of having armed guards with no training acting as a security guard.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on manifest

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster