patent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt How to pronounce patent (audio)
Definition of patentnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

patent

2 of 2

noun

1
as in copyright

Related Words
2
as in grant

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Adjective
Each year, SharkNinja launches approximately 25 products built from the ground up, spanning 37 categories and protected by more than 5,200 global patents. —Partner Content, Variety, 27 June 2025 This was true for nonresidential investment, plants, equipment and patents. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Noun
Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time — BlackBerry just sued Facebook for patent infringement last week. —Kurt Wagner, Recode, 17 Mar. 2018 The researchers gathered data on how many different provisions of patent law each examiner invoked, on the theory that a more effective examiner would invoke more patent law provisions, on average. —Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for patent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patent
  1. obvious
  2. blatant
  3. copyright
  4. grant
  5. apparent
  6. glaring
  7. trademark
  8. charter
Adjective
  • But a sharp turn straight into country seems like far too obvious a path for a singer-songwriter who has quietly done her own thing.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • And then there are the descriptions of the additional terms, which may not be obvious.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Prejudice has long disconnected Black and Latino communities — but the blatant dismissal of ICE raids as a Latino issue is off base.
    — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • However, if the church becomes tainted with blatant partisan politics, the church will look like the world with polarizing division.
    — Stephen Mitchell, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2025
Definition of blatant
Noun
  • In the absence of federal laws regulating how copyright protection applies to AI, IT service management company Cloudflare is taking matters into its own hands.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • Suno was one of two AI companies sued last year by major record labels — including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group — which allege that the companies infringed on the labels’ recording copyrights in order to train their music-generating models.
    — Natalie Kainz, NBC news, 3 July 2025
Definition of copyright
Noun
  • The grant is being accompanied by the formation of a new board to develop and oversee a reinvigorated vision that will carry the 180-year old cemetery into the future.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
  • Federal officials argue there is no law or provision in the Constitution that compels the EPA to make these grants to these groups.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Definition of grant
Adjective
  • The apparent docking of the two satellites last week suggests SJ-21 is the target for SJ-25's refueling demonstration, and US officials are watching.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
  • The disconnect is apparent: students want to build careers around emerging technology, but traditional education isn’t teaching them how.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • Ayton’s arrival fills the Lakers’ most glaring offseason need.
    — Greg Beacham, Baltimore Sun, 2 July 2025
  • Policymakers should focus on developing industries in which the United States faces the most glaring scarcities.
    — Damien Ma, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Definition of glaring
Noun
  • The bike also features a sharper front cow with a razor-thin front lamp, an intimidating titanium exhaust system, and a video game-like livery that manages to work in all of BMW’s trademark colors.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
  • After the performances ended, there was a gap before the countdown, and so Burnett introduced an additional musician who’d volunteered to give a short lesson in the trademark drumming style of Ringo Starr: Fred Armisen.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 July 2025
Definition of trademark
Noun
  • The first charter deal was brokered in 2016; it was updated this past September.
    — Alex Zietlow July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • The Best Way to See it All Perhaps the best way to experience all that Fiji has to offer is by superyacht charter.
    — Sarah Farag, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
Definition of charter

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Cite this Entry

“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patent

Nglish: Translation of patent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patent

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