manifest 1 of 3

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

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 capitulation to Trump was manifest in Senate Republican’s refusal to block any of the president’s cast of unqualified and dangerous nominees to serve in senior cabinet positions. Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025 The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences. Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
Use your connection to the past to start manifesting an even more fulfilling future. Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2025 This philosophy manifests in the Seraphites' strict social codes, their aesthetic, and their use of ancient methods of communication. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Discussing and mending past problems that manifest is pivotal to cultivating a solution to such issues and having a positive state of mind. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 According to the flight manifest shown by local media, the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national and two minors. Joan Humberto Suazo, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • Acidity dominants, as with many 2024 Bordeaux wines, but complexity is evident in this light juice with fine flavors of young red fruit.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Toxic takeover completed a few months before, the Glazer brothers — Joel, Avie and Bryan — were attending their first match at Old Trafford as owners of Manchester United and a new way of thinking was evident.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The list also reveals the male and female names that are the most popular: Olivia and Emma ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for girls, and Liam and Noah ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for boys.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Even beyond the legal angle, this chaotic tariff regime reveals something more troubling: a total absence of strategic thinking.
    Aron Solomon, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • This understanding isn’t clinical, but embodied—what people feel, witness, share, and pass down.
    Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
  • One company that embodies this principle is Apple, which, despite being synonymous with innovation, has thrived largely by perfecting and refining ideas rather than disrupting markets with entirely new inventions.
    Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Goldman Sachs analysts estimate that core inflation as measured by the personal consumption expenditures index, which tracks consumer spending, to rise this year to 3.8%, up from 2.6% in March.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 8 May 2025
  • The Kp index may be later upgraded up to four, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast, meaning the northern lights could be seen in parts of South Dakota and Maine.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The Naugatuck train station is a small plexiglass box with a single bench, a lone dot in the expanse of the concrete parking lot, just across from the loading dock of a post office.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
  • There’s a small receiving room for customers to pick up or drop off bottles and a loading dock for the larger orders.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • On their way home to Melbourne, Cave claims their meal at a local pub was interrupted by an apparent interaction with Cage.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 9 May 2025
  • Despite some apparent limitations in the group, there’s a dual purpose to their playing time.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Idaho's flag ban took effect on April 3, barring government officials from displaying any flags other than those on an approved short list, which includes the U.S. flag, flags of military branches and official flags of government entities.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Geomagnetic storm conditions last recorded two decades ago impacted Earth in May 2024, an event that pulled the northern lights to northern Florida and Texas, with another similar northern lights display in October.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • During arguments before the Supreme Court, several of the justices expressed concerns about the use of nationwide injunctions, but John Sauer, President Donald Trump’s solicitor general, faced pushback this week about whether limiting injunctions was appropriate in this case.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • According to Packer, several high-profile alumni including rapper Common, singer K. Michelle and comedian Roy Wood, Jr. had expressed opposition as well.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on manifest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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