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 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
Verb
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
Noun
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 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
  • The offer doesn’t reveal what the potential costs would be for the roads, sewers, utilities and other amenities.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Endless Summer by Free People Santa Maria maxi dress: $128 This Endless Summer by Free People maxi dress embodies the essence of boho chic with its flowing silhouette and intricate patterns.
    Jené Luciani Sena may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
  • And in some ways, Kelly embodies much of what makes this current Tigers team — one with first-place status and the best record in the American League — tick.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The index, however, ended Wednesday little changed.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • These systems typically work by ingesting a wide variety of data, including electronic health record (EHR) and claims feeds, pharmacy records, lab results, device data and social-risk indices.
    Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 25 June 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
  • In Brooklyn, at the back entrance of the Barclays Center, Breanna Stewart, forward for the New York Liberty, walks through the industrial tunnel near the loading buses wearing a crisp white buttoned vest and tailored cutoff suit shorts.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The bakery case displays the day’s dessert specials.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
  • The Meta logo is displayed during the Viva Technology show at Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles on May 22, 2024 in Paris, France.
    Kate Knibbs, Wired News, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • On a broader scale, legislators have expressed frustration for years about high prices — whether for a new college graduate seeking an affordable apartment or for a young family trying to afford a pricier suburb with good schools like West Hartford or Glastonbury.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
  • Ambassadors from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait on Saturday met with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to express concerns about the consequences of a U.S. attack.
    Colin Meyn, The Hill, 22 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 2 Jul. 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!