PATENTS Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

patents

noun

plural of patent

as in copyrights

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as in grants

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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 patents In the United States, meanwhile, dozens of patents should keep Wegovy generics off the market until 2039, said professor Robin Feldman, a patent expert at the University of California Law-San Francisco. — Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026 Viture further claims similar patents have have been rejected in China, and that Xreal’s patent adds only minor, appearance-level changes rather than true optical innovation. — Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 After all, patents do temporarily block rival companies from introducing copycat products to compete against the earlier inventor and patent holder. — David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026 For example, if prior art reveals that a new combination therapy improves treatment outcomes, officials may deem subsequent patents using the same drug cocktail as obvious and refuse to grant or enforce the patent. — Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patents

Noun

Songs typically carry two copyrights — one for the composition, usually held by songwriters and their publishers, and one for the sound recording, usually owned by the label.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Variety takes a look at how 10 companies are taming the AI beast with specific use cases that creatives can get behind in a way that keeps them firmly in control and respects copyrights.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of copyrights

Noun

Among the grants that were eliminated, frozen or delayed were ones related to maternal health in Michigan, education research in Mississippi and assistance to minority farmers in Iowa, the researchers found.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
That scrutiny has been applied to researchers applying for new grants as well.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of grants

Noun

According to the federal complaint, Buc-ee's alleges the store's smiling beaver logo, name and red-letter branding are similar enough to its trademarks to create consumer confusion.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Like other luxury houses and designers, Chanel is diligent about protecting its trademarks, creative assets and design rights.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of trademarks

Noun

The evening was beautiful, strange, and so far removed from the prerogatives of retail as to suggest that its entire purpose was not to have one.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
But my ultimate loyalty rests with the Constitution, which gives certain prerogatives to Congress.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of prerogatives

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“Patents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patents. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of patents

noun

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