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 next

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 Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump. —

Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025 As a result, the union met with Carr on Monday in apparent hopes that Carr, who has promised tight scrutiny of the merger, uses his muscle to achieve measures that protect workers. —

Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025 The update marks an apparent end to the internal deliberations that were reportedly ongoing in the hours before the Wednesday afternoon announcement event. —

Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,jesse Pound,christina Wilkie,megan Cassella,erin Doherty, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025 Fears of a possible constitutional crisis are on the rise following an apparent standoff between Donald Trump and a federal judge after the president was ordered to stop deportation flights traveling to El Salvador. —

The Editors, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apparent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent

Adjective

Tariffs’ Impact On Consumer Behavior For consumers, the most visible effect of these tariffs will be inflated prices at the checkout counter.

— Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The parts of the body that HS affects tend to be covered and not visible.

— Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025

Definition of visible

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apparent

apparently

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“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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Last Updated: 16 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

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