obvious

adjective

ˈäb-vē-əs How to pronounce obvious (audio)
Definition of obviousnext
1
as in apparent
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation that remark was an obvious joke, so lighten up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blatant
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad obvious errors in the book that the editor or proofreader should have caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obvious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obvious are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of obvious?

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

for no apparent reason

When is clear a more appropriate choice than obvious?

The synonyms clear and obvious are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 obvious?

While in some cases nearly identical to obvious, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When is it sensible to use evident instead of obvious?

Although the words evident and obvious have much in common, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When might manifest be a better fit than obvious?

The words manifest and obvious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

When would patent be a good substitute for obvious?

While the synonyms patent and obvious are close in meaning, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When could plain be used to replace obvious?

In some situations, the words plain and obvious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 obvious Other contributions, many of which supported worthy causes, also lacked obvious connection to Hope Florida’s mission. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025 Unlike recent drafts, there’s less obvious separation between the top players available. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 11 July 2025 But one obvious answer is that attention is a limited resource, and its apportionment to Iran and Hezbollah, in preference to Hamas and the Palestinian issue near at hand, mirrored Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s worldview. —Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025 Consolidation by the end of the decade The future of other brands is less obvious, but consolidation among the mainstream brands is likely before the end of the decade. —Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for obvious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious
  1. apparent
  2. blatant
  3. evident
  4. glaring
  5. unmistakable
  6. clear
  7. straightforward
  8. distinct
Adjective
  • In apparent disbelief, Berger simply sank to her knees, her arms outstretched and a huge grin on her face, and watched as her jubilant teammates sprinted towards her to celebrate.
    — Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
  • 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
Definition of apparent
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
Adjective
  • White’s taste for Richardsonian sturdiness was evident in the roughhewn blocks of bluestone forming the ground floor and the twenty-five-foot-wide iron portcullis guarding the arched entrance.
    — Henry Wiencek July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
  • That blend of tradition and innovation is evident in both the menu and the experience.
    — Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • There is a glaring lack of awareness concerning the condition, spanning from lack of research, lack of public discussion, lack of patient empowerment and a systemic dismissal of women’s health needs.
    — Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • Indeed, Cold War–era American institutions and personalities who promoted the ideal of aesthetic autonomy while trying to dissuade writers and artists from left-wing politics and propagandizing (sometimes with the help of CIA subventions) represented a glaring contradiction.
    — Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Definition of glaring
Adjective
  • The public display hit televisions and phone screens across the country and was an unmistakable signal that the Trump administration was not done flexing its political muscle in California.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • Dignity Through Every Stage Of Life The shift in conversation is unmistakable.
    — Karen Fonseth, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • But his bet is clear: That in a fractured media world, personality, tone, and trust matter more than legacy or even scale.
    — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Now it's become clear that electric vehicles won’t take over as quickly as expected.
    — Stuart Dyos, The Tennessean, 23 July 2025
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • Usually, first-round contracts are straightforward, with terms outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
    — Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 24 July 2025
  • Watching the Dragon Ball franchise in release order is fairly straightforward.
    — Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • Consider Stapleton International Airport’s reincarnation as Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, or suburban Chicago’s Glenview Naval Air Station’s rebirth as The Glen, a live-dine-play-shop community featuring 2,000 homes in eight distinct enclaves.
    — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Today, over 3 in 5 cannabis consumers are aware of terpenes: organic compounds present in plants, fungi and cannabis, and are responsible for distinct scents, flavors and therapeutic effects.
    — Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
Definition of distinct

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Cite this Entry

“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obvious. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of obvious for Spanish Speakers

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