OBVIOUS Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'obvious' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obvious are apparent , clear , distinct , evident , manifest , patent , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: How do 'apparent' and 'evident' relate to one another, in the sense of 'obvious'?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

Q: When is 'clear' a more appropriate choice than 'obvious'?

The synonyms clear and obvious are sometimes interchangeable, but clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. // a clear explanation

Q: In what contexts can 'distinct' take the place of 'obvious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obvious , distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. // a distinct refusal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'evident' instead of 'obvious'?

Although the words evident and obvious have much in common, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: When might 'manifest' be a better fit than 'obvious'?

The words manifest and obvious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. // manifest hostility

Q: When would 'patent' be a good substitute for 'obvious'?

While the synonyms patent and obvious are close in meaning, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: When could 'plain' be used to replace 'obvious'?

In some situations, the words plain and obvious are roughly equivalent. However, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

obvious

adjective

ˈäb-vē-əs

Definition of obvious

as in apparent

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation that remark was an obvious joke, so lighten up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad obvious errors in the book that the editor or proofreader should have caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obvious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obvious are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of obvious?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When is clear a more appropriate choice than obvious?

The synonyms clear and obvious are sometimes interchangeable, 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 obvious?

While in some cases nearly identical to obvious, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When is it sensible to use evident instead of obvious?

Although the words evident and obvious have much in common, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When might manifest be a better fit than obvious?

The words manifest and obvious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

When would patent be a good substitute for obvious?

While the synonyms patent and obvious are close in meaning, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When could plain be used to replace obvious?

In some situations, the words plain and obvious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 obvious These are the most obvious and easiest to understand time taxes. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 The loss of Kaufman-Renn will have the greatest impact on Purdue stylistically, because unlike most of the program’s recent rosters, there’s not an obvious post-up threat who will be a huge part of the offense. — Cj Moore, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 That seems like an obvious base camp for the 2027 Great White North adventure. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 But, in recent years, Invisalign, a less obvious orthodontic treatment involving clear, removable aligners, has gained popularity. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

Banks and financial market infrastructure (FMIs) are getting serious about blockchain again, something that is becoming increasingly apparent in light of major announcements from global banks and financial institutions.

— Ravi Chamria, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Thompson is the backup to Quentin Johnston, who limped off the practice field with an apparent leg injury this week and didn’t dress for the preseason game.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Compounding this economic instability is blatant domestic corruption defined by self-enrichment.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

That was particularly evident as the club looked to replace franchise shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose absence has forced an infield shuffle and several changes to the big-league roster.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
His separation and quickness were always evident, and despite being a bit undersized, his type of game can succeed at the NFL level.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

In a second half filled with indictments on Imai’s inauspicious season, few seem more glaring than this.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
His job is the installation of decibel meters, which trigger a glaring blue light when excessive levels of noise are reached — as happens here, though the rowdy patrons aren’t deterred.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

The actress was said to be a friend of Cusk’s, or at least an acquaintance, and her double in the book, who’s just called M, is unmistakable.

— Emma Alpern, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Little, who speaks with an unmistakable Texas twang, saw the border closure as a chance to reshore the US cattle industry and stop the bleed.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

That may still be the case in the coming weeks, but the second episode of HBO’s Lanterns makes for a fairly solid (if simple and straightforward) follow-up with some wildly entertaining moments.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Without more straightforward approaches from vendors, such as easily comprehensible privacy policies and avoiding inappropriate ads, monitors are dangerously encroaching into smart-TV-like territory.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Lee said her ultimate vision is to use BodyCodes to filter search results for the user, so she will only be served jeans from brands that fit her distinct shape.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Tel-Rea, the Jedi character, is almost entirely melee-focused, but comes with her own entirely distinct skills and combat abilities, essentially requiring you to build your party around her.

— Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinct

Browse Nearby Words

obviation

obvious

obviously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obvious

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cogent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes