PATENT Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of patent are apparent , clear , distinct , evident , manifest , obvious , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: How are the words 'apparent' and 'evident' related as synonyms of 'patent'?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

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

In some situations, the words clear and patent are roughly equivalent. However, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. // a clear explanation

Q: When can 'distinct' be used instead of 'patent'?

The words distinct and patent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. // a distinct refusal

Q: Where would 'evident' be a reasonable alternative to 'patent'?

The synonyms evident and patent are sometimes interchangeable, but evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: When is it sensible to use 'manifest' instead of 'patent'?

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

Q: When could 'obvious' be used to replace 'patent'?

The meanings of obvious and patent largely overlap; however, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: When might 'plain' be a better fit than 'patent'?

While the synonyms plain and patent are close in meaning, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

patent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of patent

as in copyright

Related Words

Relevance

as in grant

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

patent

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation unfortunately, the patent stupidity of the proposal did not deter the city council from putting it up for a vote

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a patent error that should have been caught before the book was published

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective patent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patent are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

How are the words apparent and evident related as synonyms of patent?

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

for no apparent reason

When would clear be a good substitute for patent?

In some situations, the words clear and patent are roughly equivalent. However, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When can distinct be used instead of patent?

The words distinct and patent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

Where would evident be a reasonable alternative to patent?

The synonyms evident and patent are sometimes interchangeable, but evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When is it sensible to use manifest instead of patent?

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

manifest hostility

When could obvious be used to replace patent?

The meanings of obvious and patent largely overlap; however, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When might plain be a better fit than patent?

While the synonyms plain and patent are close in meaning, 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 patent

Noun

The third patent addresses measurements taken from 2D patterns corresponding to simulated 3D clothing. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 One of the acquisitions is a patent portfolio and hiring key talent from Overair, a spin-off of Karem Aircraft and backed by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, which shut down its Overair factories in Santa Ana last year. — Pat Maio, Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The caveat that Edison filed in 1890 was the latest in a long line of pre-patent applications. — Nat Segnit, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Mar. 2022 Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time — BlackBerry just sued Facebook for patent infringement last week. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, 17 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for patent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patent

Noun

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, an injunction against ongoing and future copyright infringement and unspecified damages.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
For example, last week indie music publisher Round Hill Music sued Suno and Anthropic, accusing the two AI companies of copyright infringement by illegally scraping hundreds of its songs to train their models without permission.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of copyright

Noun

It was converted from a former Wells Fargo bank branch with about $100,000 in community redevelopment grants from the city of Pompano Beach.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The exhibit and documentary were funded with about $110,000 in donations from community members, businesses and organizations and grants, including money from the Seigle and Palmer foundations, musuem Director Rebecca Miller said.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of grant

Adjective

The switcheroo trend is one more lighthearted example of internet prank culture, with successful clips in the genre using comically obvious edits to highlight the misdirection and avoid any real danger of defamation.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
That connection seems obvious at the linebacker position, on the outside and inside with Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese, the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Compounding this economic instability is blatant domestic corruption defined by self-enrichment.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Noun

After having arrived back in Boston last week to embark on his second season as Bruins’ head coach, Marco Sturm flashed his trademark beaming smile from behind his desk at Warrior Ice Arena.

— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Are there trademarks, funding announcements or product launches that suggest urgency?

— Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of trademark

Noun

Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said two pilots and six passengers were on board the charter flight operated by the company Security Aviation, according to the Associated Press.

— Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Some are now on display at the Upper Darby Historical Society, including the staff directory, hospital charter, meeting minutes and photos of nurses.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of charter

Adjective

Banks and financial market infrastructure (FMIs) are getting serious about blockchain again, something that is becoming increasingly apparent in light of major announcements from global banks and financial institutions.

— Ravi Chamria, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Thompson is the backup to Quentin Johnston, who limped off the practice field with an apparent leg injury this week and didn’t dress for the preseason game.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

In a second half filled with indictments on Imai’s inauspicious season, few seem more glaring than this.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
His job is the installation of decibel meters, which trigger a glaring blue light when excessive levels of noise are reached — as happens here, though the rowdy patrons aren’t deterred.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of glaring

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“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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adjective

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