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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 No other team has emerged as an obvious landing spot for the former All-Star guard. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 Installed in robotic mowers, these two LiDARs deliver obvious benefits, such as compact size. Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025 Additionally, some of the summaries broke off in the middle of a sentence with no obvious way to read the missing text. Edward Mendelson, PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 Before last season, his latent talent was obvious, but a frustrating lack of consistency meant the 28-year-old was never — until now — even included in the 30-man shortlist for the award. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obvious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious
Adjective
  • The apparent hoaxes come amid heightened concern over campus safety following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Other derision of Lilith Fair artists was more blatant.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Moss was blatant — quite blatant — about owning a bad day, and went about his offseason with a purpose.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is not your father’s or grandfather’s Atherton High School football program, and never was that more evident than Tuesday’s practice at the school.
    Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The care taken in preparing the food is evident.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This education gap in preparing employees to use AI and other new technologies effectively is a glaring, industry-wide need.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Lakers have dedicated their offseason to addressing some of the glaring deficiencies that cut last season's playoff run short and locking down superstar Luka Doncic long term.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a deep respect for the brand’s heritage throughout the collection, but also an unmistakable drive to modernize, internationalize, and individualize the designs for today’s and tomorrow’s audience.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The mood on the factory floor was unmistakable.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On the other end, a clear brow gel sculpts natural hairs into your preferred position.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This reliability could speed up the shoe design cycle and reduce costs, while giving developers a clearer picture of real-world performance.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos.
    Annie Margaret, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • At a joint appearance after a leadership meeting on Thursday, Schumer framed the dispute as a straightforward test over health care.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the very recent birth of their child, Un has taken a break from the all-consuming demands of restaurateuring to attend to the entirely distinct all-consuming demands of early parenthood.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After monitoring them for two years, the researchers directly observed the birth of two different species of males with distinct genomes from a single queen.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obvious

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