as in clearly
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Recent Examples of patently
Think about how patently absurd that position is.
—
NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
But service members are allowed to disobey unlawful orders—and they could even be prosecuted for carrying out patently unlawful orders, such as war crimes.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
The glaringly obvious evildoer and patently secretive femme fatale are guilty the whole time.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The affable star guard delivered another of his patently honest answers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Many locals thought the radio man’s criticisms were patently untrue.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
That spirit manages to survive a patently modern star turn from Mark Wahlberg, whose incapacity for nuance and self-reflection is well-served by a role that has little interest in either.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
This is patently false — none of the COVID-19 vaccines genetically alter the body or change a person’s DNA.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Also requiring interviews for children is patently absurd.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
But service members are allowed to disobey unlawful orders—and they could even be prosecuted for carrying out patently unlawful orders, such as war crimes.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
The glaringly obvious evildoer and patently secretive femme fatale are guilty the whole time.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The affable star guard delivered another of his patently honest answers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Many locals thought the radio man’s criticisms were patently untrue.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
That spirit manages to survive a patently modern star turn from Mark Wahlberg, whose incapacity for nuance and self-reflection is well-served by a role that has little interest in either.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
This is patently false — none of the COVID-19 vaccines genetically alter the body or change a person’s DNA.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Also requiring interviews for children is patently absurd.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patently
Adverb
-
Ahmad Moten was fortunate not to be called for what was clearly a late hit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But Ocampo says it cannot clearly be determined whether that was the case or if they were discounted shipments, with some kind of quid pro quo — perhaps the deployment of doctors — or as humanitarian aid.—
María Verza,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
My confidence was always there, but obviously I got benched.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The boys obviously choose to believe.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Overall in tennis, including the four majors, prize money amounts to only around a quarter of the revenues generated at the tournaments, which the PTPA argues is manifestly unfair — compared to about 50 percent in some leading team sports.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Calling them weak is manifestly true, but not great diplomacy.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
In the 12 and a half years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and the two since Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of the club’s football operations, United have evidently not become a better football club.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Her purchase evidently did not yield snake oil.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
For families While certain areas of Zash feel distinctly grown-up, the citrus groves are hide-and-seek heaven, the pool is open enough to keep one eye on a brood with the other on a glass of Donna Fugata, and a sensible approach to timings makes the restaurant fair game too.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But families looking for affordable urban family vacation ideas brimming with culture, nature, and big city pro sports games right downtown should step out and stay a while in this diverse yet distinctly Southern town.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Second, because the American backers of this strategy are so palpably indifferent to democracy themselves.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Though the 1948 British drama of the same name may be the most famous iteration, this twisted modern take is palpably tense and absolutely worth your time.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Former assemblywoman Autumn Burke was also apparently considering a run for lieutenant governor this year.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Reuters reported that the claim about al-Shabab apparently made its way to Trump via several Republican lawmakers.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Speak plainly — clarity protects the interests of everyone involved.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
-
McDaniel put the situation quite plainly in his end of year press conference.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patently. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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