apparent

adjective

ə-ˈper-ənt How to pronounce apparent (audio)
Definition of apparentnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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 About half of these children were infected during delivery or shortly after birth by their mothers, who can carry the virus without any apparent symptoms. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 That uncertainty over risks was apparent in the Fed’s projections on future rate cuts, which showed a broad range of opinions among officials. —Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 In his ruling, Conley chose not to decide if the city violated collective bargaining rules and instead based the majority’s decision on the apparent conflict between state law and local ordinance. —Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025 Officers arrived to find a 44-year-old woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apparent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent
  1. presumed
  2. visible
  3. obvious
  4. possible
  5. noticeable
  6. evident
  7. seeming
  8. visual
Adjective
  • The presumed reasoning behind why the film was ignored is multilayered.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
Definition of presumed
Adjective
  • Surroundings are clearly visible even at a distance.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • But society has different priorities, and demands rapid, visible justice.
    — Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of visible
Adjective
  • And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.
    — Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • New frontiers in medical use The ability to control the metamaterial remotely makes new medical applications possible.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
  • More importantly, Nvidia continues to focus on the entire data center as a single system to ensure that all potential performance bottlenecks are addressed, resulting in the highest possible performance efficiency and ROI.
    — Jim McGregor, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • When compared with the DeathAdder V4 Pro, the difference is slight but noticeable.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The New Shape of the Curve Year-to-date production growth for 2025 marks a noticeable deceleration compared to the peak shale boom years, when annual growth often ran in the double digits.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of noticeable
Adjective
  • Stark’s honest opinion happens to be a fact as evident in a variety of statistical observations prior to Kershaw’s final regular season start at Dodger Stadium.
    — Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Throughout the episode, an invisible string is evident between the two, with their paths crossing in strange ways since 2005.
    — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • The insurer’s spokesperson declined an opportunity to clarify this seeming contradiction.
    — Mario Ariza, ProPublica, 15 Sep. 2025
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • The only minor criticism is that there is a lot of visual detail in the game, and enemy attacks, as well as their sudden movements, can often take you by surprise.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Most relied on visual cues, even though dogs possess an excellent sense of smell.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of visual

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apparels
apparent
apparently
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Cite this Entry

“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparent. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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