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 next

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 The choice to promote was obvious because that person had been showing up a certain way for a while. —

Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The Mavericks have an obvious need for an additional ballhandler behind him. —

Christian Clark, New York Times, 2 July 2026 That Miami drafted Rodriguez to eventually replace Dodson was abundantly obvious. —

Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Tech companies Tech companies have an obvious desire to store and process ever more data. —

Lauren Mullenbach, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

This comes after dozens of leading Mexican sports outlets reported the time change — after apparent briefing — as did the BBC, which has rights to the game in the UK.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Anybody who is anybody is making their way to New York’s Madison Square Garden dressed to the nines in an apparent march to get to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

This shows a blatant disregard for the integrity of our borders.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026
Specifically, DuckDuckGo’s AI feature seems to have gotten fooled by a game of telephone kicked off by internet pranksters and laundered into blatant misinformation on a leading search engine.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 June 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

Eiglarsh added that while the suffering of the families was evident throughout the trial, the defense successfully argued that the crash was a tragic accident.

— Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 24 June 2026
As part of this shift, Cuban officers are opting to train soldiers in guerrilla tactics rather than conventional warfare — a strategic departure corroborated by Cancian that is also evident in the footage.

— Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

That comparison may be a bit dramatic, but the cellar-dwelling Red Sox’s four-game sweep over the weekend exposed some of the Aaron Judge-less Yankees’ most glaring issues.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
The glaring difference was the distinct lack of the marijuana scent throughout the building, and the need to use the restroom from most of the patrons during the three-hour long concert.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

McLeese said each guest in the restricted area is allowed only one clear bag no larger than a gallon, or a small clutch purse.

— Maria Sullivan, CBS News, 30 June 2026
There appears to be no clear association between these two lists, although the contaminant list is supposed to inform the monitoring list.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

On paper, the outcomes appeared fairly straightforward, though both matches delivered plenty of drama.

— Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
How the Four-Box Decluttering Method Works The four-box decluttering method is a pretty simple and straightforward one.

— Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 29 June 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

Honda's vehicles feature a distinct design language and identity that evolves without deviating from the brand's ethos.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Each of them hold their own distinct style and personality, with something for everyone, not just in the glass, but in the atmosphere.

— Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of distinct

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“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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