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 Hoyer shockingly stole Counsell from the Brewers three years ago with the lure of the biggest managerial contract ever, believing Counsell’s obvious skills and brains would help strengthen the Cubs and weaken the Brewers. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Honda Of course, some rather obvious questions remain unanswered. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026 Kate is once again explaining to Hal something very obvious about his own psyche and routine behavior. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 One obvious response is to tax the fortunes at the top and redistribute those funds. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

One account describes an unusual encounter that raises questions about the object’s flight characteristics and apparent lack of detectable heat.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Commenters seem amused by the apparent gaffe and have chosen to convey their feelings through a plethora of puns, jokes and memes.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

This blatant robbery is the pending bill to ban the 68 Central Park horse carriages.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
The definition further added that neglect should involve blatant disregard of parental responsibilities resulting in a real, significant and imminent risk of harm to the child.

— Jennifer L. Brinkley, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

But as a new class of pop stars has established themselves as formidable commercial forces across metrics, there’s a glaring absence of Black women.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
Clark was responding to the comments Mitchell made Saturday during her exit interview and the challenges that of living life in such a glaring spotlight.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
The vamp features an unmistakable signature of the Italian house, a horsebit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Though 57% of voters say the Democratic Party does not have a clear vision for the future, Republicans hold no advantage in this category either, according to a CBS News poll released on Sunday.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
With no side holding a clear majority, a deadlock, a minority government, a unity government – or another election – are all plausible outcomes.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

After winning a prize in a juried exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, American Gothic—which reproduced well in newsprint thanks to those straightforward, geometric forms—became a sensation.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
That alone imbues this series with compellingly straightforward stakes.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Researchers identified distinct activity patterns in the brain’s dorsal regions that directly correlate with social dominance through the observation of freely interacting mice.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Nevertheless, analysts caution that evaluating the deal requires assessing whether the combined entity can generate distinct operational synergies and unlock long term expansion potential.

— , CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinct

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“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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