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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective evident contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evident are apparent, clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

How do apparent and evident relate to one another?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When can clear be used instead of evident?

The meanings of clear and evident largely overlap; however, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When would distinct be a good substitute for evident?

The words distinct and evident can be used in similar contexts, but distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When could manifest be used to replace evident?

In some situations, the words manifest and evident are roughly equivalent. However, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of evident?

While the synonyms obvious and evident are close in meaning, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When might patent be a better fit than evident?

While in some cases nearly identical to evident, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to evident?

Although the words plain and evident have much in common, 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 evident This philosophy is evident in the firm’s revamped digital presence, expanding capabilities, and approach to hiring and retention. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 This is particularly evident when comparing the use of liquid detergent to that of laundry pods, as each is individually packaged. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025 Right away, the need for fire, food and shelter became evident, and the game was on. Steve Helling, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 That diversified appeal was evident in the fans’ varied Sleep Token introduction stories. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident
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
  • Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But Trump’s arbitrary brand of interventionism comes with obvious dangers.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Precise numbers of staffing cuts are hard to pin down, but their historic scale in the first eight months of this administration is unmistakable.
    Chris Sellers, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
  • But some parts are unmistakable.
    Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cycling the heat on and off allows the robots to adjust speed and even change direction — proof that controlled, repeatable motion is possible at this tiny scale.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Each count of transportation to engage in prostitution holds a maximum sentence of 10 years, tallying up to a possible 20 years in prison for Combs.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of the information being funneled to him and his peers from news sources wasn't clear.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Your best chance to catch a glimpse of the auroras is at very high latitudes, such as northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland and possibly the far north of Scotland, if the skies are clear.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite having a relatively straightforward main plot, the first Hades excelled at grafting deep backstories and layered personalities to each of its many characters that fleshed out Greek mythology.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The commercial test that will decide competitiveness is straightforward.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have used a massive UK Biobank dataset analysis to identify that fat distribution, not just overall size, maps to distinct changes in brain structure and connectivity.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The park encompasses 134 miles of that stretch and is divided into 13 distinct sections.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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