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

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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 Arasha enjoys a few choice manipulative moves in her litany of parts, reversing situations that seem to have no obvious good outcome. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The mistakes were so obvious that all decided to take responsibility publicly. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 The pass rush offers the most obvious room for improvement — but also the ability to obtain some improvement. — Sam McDowell 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 Without any obvious choice to rally around like Kendrick Lamar, hip-hop is likely to go as unrecognized in the major categories as country usually does. — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

The pump wagon’s relevance to Bowery culture will only be apparent in the exhibition’s final gallery, which is dominated by a comparable artifact, Brad Kalhammer’s installation Bowery Nation (1985–2012).

— J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The latest frontier model, with apparent human-level faculties, had gone rogue – displaying dangerous, even devious online behaviors.

— Michael Serazio, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

As election season starts in much of the world, officials note an uptick in both blatant and subtle uses of social media to sow lies among voters.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026
How successful the gerrymandering actually was remains to be seen — Republicans are polling poorly in the Lone Star State, perhaps in part because of their blatant attempt to cheat voters out of their voices.

— The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

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
One of its more glaring gaffes within the past couple years is the delay of Caitlin Clark's signature sneaker.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

There’s an unmistakable impression throughout that this woman… or whatever is pretending to be one… might burn down the house.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Dramatic, chaotic and yet totally controlled, the productions by Saul Milton and Will Kennard are unmistakable.

— Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

But national Democrats have been eying the race for months due to the state’s large Black population, and Obama’s ad is a clear effort to juice turnout.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Here, next to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina, adventure and refinement exist in effortless harmony.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

The pieces also follow the designers’ evolution from the straightforward blacks to use of color to increasingly sculptural shapes.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
In theory, this should make integration of the latter more straightforward than starting from scratch.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

But even with 22 tracks to work with, the sound too often defaults to a similar muted backdrop, which blurs some of the less distinct songs together.

— Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
The rooms are designed for gathering, whether that's at the music venue, on the rooftop bar, or in one of the other distinct dining experiences.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinct

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“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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