PATENTS Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

patents

noun

plural of patent

as in copyrights

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as in grants

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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 patents In the United States, meanwhile, dozens of patents should keep Wegovy generics off the market until 2039, said professor Robin Feldman, a patent expert at the University of California Law-San Francisco. — Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026 Viture further claims similar patents have have been rejected in China, and that Xreal’s patent adds only minor, appearance-level changes rather than true optical innovation. — Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 After all, patents do temporarily block rival companies from introducing copycat products to compete against the earlier inventor and patent holder. — David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026 For example, if prior art reveals that a new combination therapy improves treatment outcomes, officials may deem subsequent patents using the same drug cocktail as obvious and refuse to grant or enforce the patent. — Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patents

Noun

This includes copyrights, which protect creative works, such as songs and recordings, including Parton’s catalog of hits.

— Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Birkenstock has scored yet another legal victory in its efforts to protect its copyrights.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of copyrights

Noun

The foundation expects to award about $700 million in grants in 2027, a figure that could rise, a Ford Foundation spokesperson told the Associated Press.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
California’s economic development program, known as GO-Biz, also has doled out more than $1 billion in job training, grants, tax credits and other programs to retain companies and attract those from out of state.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grants

Noun

Officers at Indianapolis’ express consignment facility also intercepted 96 counterfeit watches bearing Swatch, Audemars Piguet and Rolex trademarks on July 30.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
The family currently holds more than 50 active trademarks for skin and hair care brands.

— Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of trademarks

Noun

The evening was beautiful, strange, and so far removed from the prerogatives of retail as to suggest that its entire purpose was not to have one.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
But my ultimate loyalty rests with the Constitution, which gives certain prerogatives to Congress.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of prerogatives

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“Patents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patents. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of patents

noun

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