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 Some analysts point out that there was no particularly obvious macro news driving the sharp rally in gold. — CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 That premise creates an obvious opportunity to explore how oppression is normalized differently across communities. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026 Hong long ago deleted the post, for obvious reasons, but nothing on the internet ever really dies. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 The numbers climbed and then fell, with no obvious resting place. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

Pride in our rising football team is already apparent across campus and is growing throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

— Monique Carroll, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
An apparent Education Department data error is causing student loan forgiveness credit to be wiped out overnight, setting borrowers back and causing widespread panic.

— Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

These issues are perhaps most glaring on Le Ravi, which hosts not one but two fake journalists.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026
Samsung credits a dual-layer structure called Flex Titanium for flattening the display and turning what was once a glaring trench into a subtle seam.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

That interplay of warmth, spice, and richer notes is what gives fall fragrances their unmistakable character, setting them apart from the lighter, brighter scents of spring and summer.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
Few heads turn despite her tall, unmistakable frame shuffling across the floor.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, and this was made very clear throughout their promos on Raw.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Golden State’s new floor is bright blue – decidedly not a Valkyries team color – and features clear Chase Bank branding throughout.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

But its effect on us humans — and our lives and economies — isn’t straightforward.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
If future commercial deployments deliver similar results, the architecture could provide customers with a straightforward path from hundreds of kilowatts to several megawatts without fundamentally changing the underlying system.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

While the precise number of brokers managed by each service varies, there are some distinct differences.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Researchers looked at differences between the modern human and Neanderthal genomes and identified distinct genetic changes in Neanderthals’ growth hormone receptor—a key cell protein that helps regulate growth throughout the body.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinct

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

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