EVIDENT Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'evident' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evident are apparent , clear , distinct , manifest , obvious , patent , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: How do 'apparent' and 'evident' relate to one another?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

Q: When can 'clear' be used instead of 'evident'?

The meanings of clear and evident largely overlap; however, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. // a clear explanation

Q: When would 'distinct' be a good substitute for 'evident'?

The words distinct and evident can be used in similar contexts, but 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 could 'manifest' be used to replace 'evident'?

In some situations, the words manifest and evident are roughly equivalent. However, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. // manifest hostility

Q: In what contexts can 'obvious' take the place of 'evident'?

While the synonyms obvious and evident are close in meaning, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: When might 'patent' be a better fit than 'evident'?

While in some cases nearly identical to evident , patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: Where would 'plain' be a reasonable alternative to 'evident'?

Although the words plain and evident have much in common, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

evident

adjective

ˈe-və-dənt

Definition of evident

as in apparent

appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed the evident cause of the accident was icy road conditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation the man was discovered dead in his apartment, but there were no evident signs of foul play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective evident contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evident are apparent, clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

How do apparent and evident relate to one another?

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

for no apparent reason

When can clear be used instead of evident?

The meanings of clear and evident largely overlap; however, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When would distinct be a good substitute for evident?

The words distinct and evident can be used in similar contexts, but distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When could manifest be used to replace evident?

In some situations, the words manifest and evident are roughly equivalent. However, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of evident?

While the synonyms obvious and evident are close in meaning, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When might patent be a better fit than evident?

While in some cases nearly identical to evident, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to evident?

Although the words plain and evident have much in common, 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 evident The Republican erosion was evident about 45 miles north in New Hampton. — CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 But the effects of coastal erosion have been most evident at the beach. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 That is most evident with Sydney Sweeney, who became an equity partner and creative director at sports prediction market Novig, shaping its advertising rather than just simply appearing in it. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 That mammoth effort was evident on Monday, as 700 guests filed up the steps of one of the world’s largest gothic cathedrals. — Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident

Adjective

One account describes an unusual encounter that raises questions about the object’s flight characteristics and apparent lack of detectable heat.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Commenters seem amused by the apparent gaffe and have chosen to convey their feelings through a plethora of puns, jokes and memes.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

These reveal problems that might not be obvious in the short term, such as liver damage, as well as underlying conditions that could turn minor issues into something serious.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
If there are lessons from the 2025 wave of crypto IPOs, the most obvious is that investors should proceed with caution.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.

— Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
The vamp features an unmistakable signature of the Italian house, a horsebit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

There was palpable excitement, especially after Barringer noted that national Democrats had put the seat on a list of ones to watch for a possible upset.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The embassy said in a statement Monday that partial curfews had been introduced in several French cities, with additional restrictions possible.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of possible

Adjective

Though 57% of voters say the Democratic Party does not have a clear vision for the future, Republicans hold no advantage in this category either, according to a CBS News poll released on Sunday.

— Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
With no side holding a clear majority, a deadlock, a minority government, a unity government – or another election – are all plausible outcomes.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

After winning a prize in a juried exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, American Gothic—which reproduced well in newsprint thanks to those straightforward, geometric forms—became a sensation.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
That alone imbues this series with compellingly straightforward stakes.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of straightforward

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evident

evidently

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“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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