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
The team secured five patents and worked with world-champion pizza chef Thierry Graffagnino to perfect their recipes. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025 Fox had also been involved in litigation around his acquisition of the Tri-Ergon sound-on-film technology in 1929 and had been suing much of the industry for patent infringement. —Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 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
  • The copyright filing comes in the same week as the launch of the next big Donkey Kong game, titled Donkey Kong Bananza.
    — Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • This includes pragmatic policies on copyright and data protection, a balanced approach to onshore and offshore chip manufacturing, and removing regulatory barriers to energy use and generation.
    — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 13 July 2025
Definition of copyright
Noun
  • So far, no one has publicly called for GM to return any of the grant money, though the agreement contains provisions that if the company was to violate the terms, the state has the right to clawback the funds, according to GM.
    — Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 15 July 2025
  • The grants were first established in a law passed in 1965, according to the lawsuit.
    — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Definition of grant
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
  • 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
Noun
  • It’s become such a trademark of American travelers that some have said that they've been approached by Europeans about it.
    — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2025
  • Fyre Festival sold the rights to the troubled brand, including its IP, brand trademarks and social media assets, on eBay on Tuesday for $245,300.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 15 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 29 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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