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 The Yankees don’t have any obvious options who could step into the closer’s role if Bednar lands elsewhere. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026 There are, of course, obvious differences between soldiers and agents, for whom a readiness to kill on behalf of the state is generally understood to be a more distant prospect. — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 When assessing the probability of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, analysts tend to focus on a few obvious risks that China would face—namely, military defeat, economic slowdown, and restricted oil and technology imports. — Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026 The interior was redesigned in Kevlar and suede, the most obvious changes being a new steering wheel and dashboard that clustered more of the gauges and controls around the driver. — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 1 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

Instead, the conjecture addresses a specific class of quantum computations and the conditions under which their apparent advantage can be reproduced classically.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Cavaliers freshman quarterback Hassir Houston had to be carried off the field with an apparent leg injury late in the first half but returned in the fourth quarter.

— Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Nowhere is this misperception more evident than in looking at current electoral politics and domestic and foreign policy.

— Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
Not a whole lot has gone the NC State Wolfpack's way this season, and that was never more evident than after what the Duke Blue Devils did to them on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

The only solution to this glaring problem is a computer program to wipe out the starlight.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Still, the United States must ensure that allies’ security programs are comparable to its own and that any glaring gaps are filled as swiftly as possible.

— Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

On a recent weekend, three friends sat to the dino’s right, trying their best to ignore his unmistakable glower.

— Hilton Als, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
The bear wears Richards' peacoat with anchor buttons, carries a little black handbag and, of course, has the unmistakable beret.

— Derek James, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Congress should fund that capacity and require clear schedules for resolving interrupted awards and disbursing recovery support.

— Carole LaBonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Let’s also be clear, Kristen, that securing our border is still popular with the American people.

— NBC news, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

Model procedures should provide timely notice, straightforward requests, and alternative assignments without academic penalties.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Putting the whole thing together looks a little bit like a DIY project, but according to the creators, the setup process is quite straightforward.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

All rooms have private pools and decks, and are connected to distinct, individual communal areas with pools, firepits, and dining areas.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Variant analysis identified 948 distinct vulnerabilities behind those exploits.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of distinct

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“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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