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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 Bokeh is an obvious concern with any bright lens, but especially one with a telephoto focal range. PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025 In the music video, the 27-year-old slinks around in a nude crystal bodysuit—an obvious homage to Spears—and gamely takes on choreographed sequences with a shirtless male dance partner. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025 This fact helps explain the strong bipartisan consensus, now entering its second decade, that unfettered free trade is not an obvious good. Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Carro's paper suggests that obvious sycophancy significantly reduces user trust. ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obvious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious
Adjective
  • The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the city DEP both cited the MTA earlier this month when an apparent overflow in the depot’s sewage ejection pit ran off into nearby storm drains, spilling what DEC inspectors estimated to be 50 gallons of waste into the bay.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Stacy was pronounced dead of an apparent heart attack.
    Christine Pelisek, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And if the Yavin material is blatant stalling, much of it is entertaining stalling, offering some welcome dark comedy to leaven some of the heavier material elsewhere.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
  • That’s because, despite the fact that Trump’s claims about immigrants are mostly half-truths or blatant lies, a sizable portion of Americans have come to believe them.
    Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nowhere was this more evident than at Stanford, where federal defense contracts and research funding supported a culture of innovation that helped create Silicon Valley.
    Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of the threat, its evident that our surface area of exposure increases as AI adoption scales and trust, will become the new currency of AI adoption.
    Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Jets have a glaring need at right tackle after Morgan Moses left in free agency to sign with the rival Patriots.
    Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Fast evaluation Banks may feel like an underwhelming pick given the glaring need at QB.
    Larry Holder, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • She’s been wildly influential without ever being less than unmistakable; no matter what sonic, thematic or characteristic elements other artists may borrow from her, none of them would ever risk being taken for Lana herself.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The song, a collaboration between The Pogues frontman MacGowan and the unmistakable O’Connor, reenters the Official Physical Singles chart at No. 18.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although no concrete action appears to have come from Martin's letters yet, Garcia said the implications are clear.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
  • What Brands Can Learn For luxury and lifestyle brands outside of hospitality, the lessons are clear: Create emotional anchors.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, this is straightforward, with a finish that is a touch light Enjoy over the next 2-4 years.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • On the surface, this was a straightforward inquiry.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Universal Destinations & Experiences division, offers five distinct lands and opens to the public on May 22.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Harvard University’s endowment, worth $53.2 billion at the end of its 2024 fiscal year, for example, consists of roughly 14,600 distinct funds.
    Todd L. Ely, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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