APPARENT Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'apparent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apparent are clear , distinct , evident , manifest , obvious , patent , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clear' instead of 'apparent'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'distinct' take the place of 'apparent'?

While in some cases nearly identical to apparent , distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. // a distinct refusal

Q: When might 'evident' be a better fit than 'apparent'?

While the synonyms evident and apparent are close in meaning, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: When can 'manifest' be used instead of 'apparent'?

The words manifest and apparent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. // manifest hostility

Q: Where would 'obvious' be a reasonable alternative to 'apparent'?

Although the words obvious and apparent have much in common, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: When would 'patent' be a good substitute for 'apparent'?

In some situations, the words patent and apparent are roughly equivalent. However, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: When is 'plain' a more appropriate choice than 'apparent'?

The words plain and apparent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

apparent

adjective

ə-ˈper-ənt

Definition of apparent

as in presumed

appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed at the start of the investigation, the apparent cause of the plane crash was mechanical failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in visible

capable of being seen as the fog lifts, the town in the valley below us will become more apparent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation it's apparent from the smile on her face that she got a part in the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective apparent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apparent are clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When is it sensible to use clear instead of apparent?

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

a clear explanation

In what contexts can distinct take the place of apparent?

While in some cases nearly identical to apparent, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When might evident be a better fit than apparent?

While the synonyms evident and apparent are close in meaning, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When can manifest be used instead of apparent?

The words manifest and apparent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

Where would obvious be a reasonable alternative to apparent?

Although the words obvious and apparent have much in common, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When would patent be a good substitute for apparent?

In some situations, the words patent and apparent are roughly equivalent. However, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When is plain a more appropriate choice than apparent?

The words plain and apparent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 apparent Patterson, a moderate Republican, is in familiar territory with the apparent Democratic advantage in voter turnout. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Also in that notebook is the apparent good news about Nick Pivetta playing loss toss yesterday, an explanation for some lineup quirks last night and the transaction that created room for Ray on the roster. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Perez Hilton was recently hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2026 The discoloration is often most apparent when flushing a toilet. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apparent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent

Adjective

The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025

Definition of presumed

Adjective

However, in the case of the sun, the effect isn’t usually visible because of its massive size.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Protecting pilot vision A nuclear weapon produces an intense burst of thermal and visible light within fractions of a second after detonation.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of visible

Adjective

Areas where forecasts consistently predict clear skies — or persistent cloud — will become increasingly obvious as eclipse day approaches.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The choice of Bailey as the newest Giorgio Armani global fragrance ambassador was obvious.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
With an address right in the heart of Paris, this place is ideal for first-timers who want to see as much as possible, or art lovers who are in town specifically to see the Louvre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Guerrero’s struggles have been particularly noticeable, creating an unusual disconnect between his superstar status and his production.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
In September, visitors can enjoy temperatures similar to July and August, but with a noticeable lack of people vying for prime sunset seating and fewer traffic and parking challenges.

— Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
The princess was spotted wearing a gold nautical charm bracelet on her wrist—a seeming nod to the one famously given to her late grandmother Princess Diana by her then-husband Prince Charles after their wedding on July 29, 1981.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 July 2026

Definition of seeming

Adjective

In 1981 a bold experiment in rock music began as MTV took the air and made music a visual as well as auditory experience.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Those don’t work without the pure visual storytelling beats of character emotion that Culpepper balances them with.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of visual

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“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparent. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of apparent

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to apparent

Commonly Misspelled Words Quiz

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on apparent

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