self-evident

adjective

self-ev·​i·​dent ˌself-ˈe-və-dənt How to pronounce self-evident (audio)
-ˌdent
: evident without proof or reasoning
self-evidently adverb

Examples of self-evident in a Sentence

the self-evident truth that all people have the right of self-determination
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To those who accompanied you through it (like your friend who insisted you get tested), the change in you, the strengthening in you, will be self-evident. James Parker, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025 The sheer neglect of Iran’s conventional military was long self-evident in its air force, which has become embarrassingly obsolescent compared to most of its counterparts in neighboring states. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 At some point, the documentary just pauses its forward momentum to let people like David Letterman (another executive producer here), Eric Andre and Tim Heidecker explain why Andy Kaufman was influential, which is both completely accurate and completely self-evident in this context. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025 But the possibilities for a musical from the story are pretty self-evident, given the long Broadway history of flight as a metaphor for escape, a willingness to take risks and the ever-popular craving for self-actualization. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-evident

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-evident was in 1643

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Cite this Entry

“Self-evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-evident. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-evident

adjective
self-ev·​i·​dent
ˈsel-ˈfev-əd-ənt,
-ə-ˌdent
: having no need of proof
self-evident truths

More from Merriam-Webster on self-evident

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