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 That reality was made all the more obvious by the unwatchable football in the final three games without him. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 After all, that makes sense, but alas, like much else in Cody Fern‘s directorial debut, even the most obvious of choices simply don’t add up. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Sure, they may be tucked behind an unmarked door or disguised as something else, but these venues are usually so well-established or the clues so obvious that everyone knows what’s up. — Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2026 When to Call a Professional While homeowners can visually check vents for blockages and look for obvious insulation or air-sealing problems, a professional should handle more complex issues, Hicks says. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

Moselakgomo was the fifth woman found dead in the apparent series of killings.

— Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Brown broke off a 32-yard run and suffered an apparent leg injury.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

The Founders never predicted that a president, his Cabinet, Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Congress would not challenge the blatant illegality that has been happening over the past two years.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Sometimes the signs have been as blatant as the night Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions being his birthday (May 19).

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of blatant

Adjective

That was evident this month at the United Nations when a General Assembly vote endorsed a map with a different way of looking at the world than has more commonly been used.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
According to Espinoza, Dwabe’s love for others was evident early on.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

In defence, his lack of physicality is becoming more glaring in a Premier League that is leaning more heavily than ever into duels, second balls and set pieces.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The most glaring shortcoming of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s unit was a staggering 9-of-11 conversion rate for the Giants on third down, as the defense could not get off the field all night.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of glaring

Adjective

Cyrus has a big, blowsy voice with an unmistakable country warble.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Maluma’s playful, confident verses add another layer of flirtation, while Shakira’s unmistakable vocals bring both sensuality and command to the track.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Dislodging these forces from the machinery of the state has been neither swift nor straightforward, and even those most anxious for change are hard-pressed to offer practical solutions.

— Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
An album this immersed in relatively straightforward love songs could use this moment of awkward verbal snogging.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of straightforward

Adjective

The Pigeon Sisters — Desi Amato as Gwendolyn and Penny Amara as Cecily — are played as distinct individuals rather than as near-twins as often happens.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Sometimes those differences, while distinct, still touch the same product in some way.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of distinct

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“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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