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

Despite systemic funding disparities and closing institutional pathways for Black founders, Smith achieved significant success, including a patent for clear sunscreen on dark skin and placement in 405 Boots stores. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, this is less a marker of innovation than IBM’s talent for drafting patent applications—a valuable skill but not one that has led to much real-world innovation. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 3 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

In freshman writing classes, Harvard University is teaching students how large language models work, plus exploring AI topics such as copyright and disinformation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Creative industries are confronting questions about copyright, compensation and authorship after models have already entered production.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of copyright

Noun

Part of the grant includes a mandate for students to learn basic use of artificial intelligence, according to DeProw.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
That trait carried over when Staunton was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer and had a $1,000 grant to direct to the community program of her choice.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of grant

Adjective

From a distance, the color nearly blended with Anderson’s skin; the height became considerably more obvious in profile.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
In its rush to chase clicks, the league publicly showcased a wager that appeared to raise obvious questions under its own CBA.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Herrera’s goodbye came after the team made a blatant move to signal that May will be traded in the near future.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Likewise, her fans aren't going to stop defending her when the verbal and physical attacks against her remain so blatant.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of blatant

Noun

The record’s grainy black-and-white cover shows her with her hair—usually scraped back in her trademark ponytail, or lately a bun, another kind of disguise—loose and scattered over her laughing face.

— Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Shedeur, 24, was seen walking around the field after practice with the former Dallas Cowboys star, who wore a cowboy hat and his trademark shades.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of trademark

Noun

Disarming would represent a sea change for Hamas, whose founding charter calls for armed resistance against Israel, and which sees its arsenal, including rockets, anti-tank missiles and explosives, as lying at the heart of its identity.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
The only explanation the campaign provided about the jet’s activity was to say most of the flights in recent months have been handled through a third-party charter company that rents the plane out to travelers with Sarnecki’s permission.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of charter

Adjective

Never has that been more apparent than on petal, the star’s eighth studio album and her first to release via her own imprint, BabyDoll Music, as a subsidiary of Republic.

— Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Initially, authorities said there were no apparent indications of foul play and that Wells could have drowned, noting the area is known for its dangerous rip currents.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of apparent

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

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“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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