PATENT Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'patent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patent are apparent , clear , distinct , evident , manifest , obvious , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: How are the words 'apparent' and 'evident' related as synonyms of 'patent'?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

Q: When would 'clear' be a good substitute for 'patent'?

In some situations, the words clear and patent are roughly equivalent. However, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. // a clear explanation

Q: When can 'distinct' be used instead of 'patent'?

The words distinct and patent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. // a distinct refusal

Q: Where would 'evident' be a reasonable alternative to 'patent'?

The synonyms evident and patent are sometimes interchangeable, but evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: When is it sensible to use 'manifest' instead of 'patent'?

The words manifest and patent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. // manifest hostility

Q: When could 'obvious' be used to replace 'patent'?

The meanings of obvious and patent largely overlap; however, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: When might 'plain' be a better fit than 'patent'?

While the synonyms plain and patent are close in meaning, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

patent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of patent

as in copyright

Related Words

Relevance

as in grant

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

patent

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation unfortunately, the patent stupidity of the proposal did not deter the city council from putting it up for a vote

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a patent error that should have been caught before the book was published

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective patent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patent are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

How are the words apparent and evident related as synonyms of patent?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When would clear be a good substitute for patent?

In some situations, the words clear and patent are roughly equivalent. However, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When can distinct be used instead of patent?

The words distinct and patent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

Where would evident be a reasonable alternative to patent?

The synonyms evident and patent are sometimes interchangeable, but evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When is it sensible to use manifest instead of patent?

The words manifest and patent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

When could obvious be used to replace patent?

The meanings of obvious and patent largely overlap; however, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When might plain be a better fit than patent?

While the synonyms plain and patent are close in meaning, 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 patent

Noun

Each product features the brand’s patent-pending VitaMega Complex, designed to deliver essential nutrients to the hair shaft—ensuring hair’s hydration needs are met throughout the entire regimen. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026 Pearls, embellishments and patent finishes are bringing more dimension to familiar silhouettes. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The caveat that Edison filed in 1890 was the latest in a long line of pre-patent applications. — Nat Segnit, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Mar. 2022 Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time — BlackBerry just sued Facebook for patent infringement last week. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, 17 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for patent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patent

Noun

If companies end up needing to clear rights before training their LLMs, Lessig said, the only companies with the resources to pay for copyright costs would be the large corporate entities like OpenAI and Microsoft.

— Greta Reich, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
In December 2024, the British government launched a major consultation on copyright protections in the age of AI.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of copyright

Noun

The community received disproportionate federal grants to rebuild, as many were excluded from city and state grant programs due to Chinatown being located outside of the scope to receive that funding, the report said.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
The grant program is the brainchild of The Equity Studio, which was founded by investor Anna Sweeting, and the entrepreneur Nancy Twine of Makers Mindset.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of grant

Adjective

Wolff’s blatant disregard of hunting and fishing laws, including earlier incidents that led to his hunting and fishing licenses being revoked, was well known by local residents and law enforcement officers.

— David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Noun

Johnson has recently taken her brunette hair a few shades darker for fall, the richer color worn loose around her shoulders with her trademark brow-skimming bangs.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026
Its exterior trim, including the car’s trademark rear fan, is finished in satin carbon.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of trademark

Noun

Then, in 2024, with the influx of attention, security concerns, and money due to Caitlin Clark, Engelbert announced that the WNBA would introduce a league-wide charter program.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Embracing modern globalized tourism, the newcomers came on direct charter flights, even from provincial cities, to the civilian airport at U-Tapao, benefiting from a 30-day visa-free agreement.

— Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of charter

Adjective

His managerial shortcomings have been apparent at times, and his expiring contract made everything seemingly less complicated.

— Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Eco effort The Rosewood group has a green initiative that includes energy conservation, prioritizing sustainability, and embracing a sense of place, but specifics about the Vienna hotel weren’t apparent.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Tesla’s flashy unveiling of its Cybercab robotaxi in 2024 left some glaring questions unanswered.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026
The bullpen is the glaring issue, but playing the Brewers seems to put the importance of every aspect of the Cubs’ performance under a microscope.

— Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of glaring

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“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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