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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 Some heat safety tips are obvious — but some are surprising. Joel Shannon, USA Today, 21 June 2025 Depositphotos There are obvious limitations to this study. New Atlas, 21 June 2025 Painting broadly on a still relatively fresh canvas, Boone expresses an endearing willingness to grow his craft but also a steely reverence to painfully obvious points of reference. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 June 2025 An obvious example is the way many former friends of freedom supported the PATRIOT Act and other infringements on liberty following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Ron Paul, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for obvious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious
Adjective
  • Other Demographic Differences Women’s second fall persistence rate (79.3%) exceeded that of men (76.3%), continuing a trend that’s been apparent for several years.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Birdsong’s apparent beanball came in the exact time and place that the unwritten rules prescribe: two outs, bases empty, first pitch.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Never in 250 years has any U.S. president needed such a blatant and expensive birthday parade.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025
  • Amid blatant insults to servicemen and veterans, President Trump's approval remains relatively high, with most Americans agreeing with his immigration policies.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Turchin family’s lifelong passion for art and design was evident across all the rooms.
    Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
  • That reality is evident almost just from the scale.
    Justin Worland, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • That makes him 6-9 in shoes, which is not a particularly glaring difference.
    Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Harrison was a glaring weak link for the Jaguars last season.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pattern is unmistakable: just as Enron triggered SOX, AI governance failures will trigger mandatory expertise requirements.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The symbolism of the decision to target this base—the same one that U.S. President Donald Trump visited only two months ago during his tour of Gulf states, and one located in a country that maintains close ties to and shares an offshore gas field with Iran—is unmistakable.
    Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In both international and domestic law, however, these indictments will never be adjudicated with clear verdicts.
    Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
  • The issue is parents need to decide because the science is very clear on fluoride.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • This was a more straightforward implementation than expected.
    Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Photo Credit: Emma Falk Via The Chicago Sky Lee advised the group to be straightforward and authentic and to maximize their time.
    Essence, Essence, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The secret is to chemically modify that region of the DNA in a way that doesn't alter base pairing, but does allow it to be recognized as distinct by proteins.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
  • While the divergence between the two is fair, its explanation lies elsewhere: Investor valuations and retail prices differ because they are driven by distinct fundamentals and considerations.
    Thibault Adrien, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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