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 Another apparent fan of tanning is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., America’s perpetually bronzed health secretary, who was spotted visiting a tanning salon last month. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 19 July 2025 Rollins suffered an apparent knee injury during his match against LA Knight on July 12th. —

Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 An apparent Israeli strike on Gaza's sole Catholic Church killed two people and injured several, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Thursday. —

Reuters, USA Today, 17 July 2025 Separately, Russia’s transport minister was found dead in what authorities said was an apparent suicide — news that broke hours after the Kremlin announced he had been dismissed by Putin. —

Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for apparent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent

Adjective

Flights shows visible flames coming from the plane’s left engine soon after takeoff.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025
Perhaps most visible is the President’s Golden Dome estimated at three years and $175 billion or more to develop.

— Michael Brown, Forbes.com, 20 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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Last Updated: 25 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

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