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noun

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
Adjective
Pfizer is in the process of rebuilding in the aftermath of the pandemic, as demand wanes for its vaccine and pill for Covid and some of the company’s key drugs near the end of their patent life. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 Deciding what to patent is just as important as timing. Paul Moutzouris, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Adjective
  • Even as the calendar flipped to September and the clinch appeared obvious, the idea of October was sidestepped.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
  • That equality, and the diminishment of obvious markers—peculiar clothes, a strange language, obscure traditions—could be disturbing, and not just to conservative rabbis who saw their authority fading.
    Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But opponents saw the move as a blatant attempt to short-circuit the investigation into Russian hacking of the 2016 presidential election.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Survivor 49 kicked off Wednesday night with two-hour premiere filled with projectile vomit, blatant puzzle copying, and a new bromance for the ages.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The video reportedly committed a copyright violation, prompting it to be disabled following a takedown claim.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In addition, the Office administers the DMCA designated agent directory and provides guidance on notice and counternotice procedures, group registration for short online works, and emerging policy issues, including copyright considerations related to artificial intelligence.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some state legislatures have passed grant programs meant to help schools foot the bill for those upgrades, including in Texas and Florida, where mass shootings at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas in 2018 and Robb Elementary School in 2022 rattled the country.
    Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The flexible barrier was purchased with a $194,000 grant in 2019 from the State Division of Emergency Management that Vizcaya matched with $115,140.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In October 2023, Kristil went to police with a detailed spreadsheet documenting every interaction with her apparent stalker.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Nowhere is this more apparent than one of the first kisses shared between Patrick (Jonathan Groff), a privileged white video game designer, and Richie (Raúl Castillo), the Mexican club doorman hopelessly in love with him.
    James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This relationship between a military’s combat troop and support personnel is a glaring weakness of the proposal.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And Denver has a glaring hole in the middle of its defense without him in coverage, as Vance Joseph's unit continues to get shredded by pass-catching tight ends and running backs.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Veering from her trademark straight hair, which is typically combed flat, the Goop founder touched down in Italy on Tuesday morning, modeling the effortless, undone hairdo instead.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Those with a sweet tooth have to love the fall and all its trademark treats.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For traditionalists like Coles, yachting means tailoring every element—menus, destinations, activities, even formality—to an owner or a charter guest, with the crew creating a familial experience usually limited to 12 passengers.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada offers charter fishing trips, parasailing, boat and kayak rentals along with a restaurant and open-air market.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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