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 However, clarity, or at least possible player-acquisition scenarios, becomes more apparent in the NFL world of personnel executives, coaches and agents in one centralized location. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 But the deficiencies on the interior line were never more apparent than in the wild-card loss to Houston, when Herbert got sacked four times and hit nine more times. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025 The Sixers lose to all sorts of teams, with no apparent traits that should target Philadelphia’s weakness. —Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 The film’s general rigidity and lack of thrills become more apparent when Levi accidentally falls into the gorge. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apparent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apparent
  1. visible
  2. obvious
  3. possible
  4. noticeable
  5. evident
  6. seeming
  7. visual
  8. unmistakable
Adjective
  • Living on a ramshackle riverfront house all but sinking into the blue, Liang lives a mostly solitary existence, keeping a joyless job at a waste-management center with only one other visible employee, Hao (Chin Yu-pan).
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Mercury is expected to join the other planets in being visible to the unaided eye by Friday, Feb. 28.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of visible
Adjective
  • This year organizers are acknowledging openly what’s been obvious for a while.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • There are more than a few scenes here where the substitution of stuntman for star is obvious.
    — Joe Leydon, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • He has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The mayors, including Johnson, responded that their police officers have enough to do to keep their city’s streets as safe as possible without getting involved in immigration enforcement, which is indisputably a federal responsibility.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • All of that increases the odds that the trade war will be more visible to Americans, disrupting supply chains and causing noticeable price hikes for certain items.
    — Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
  • There’s a wide range of cases available, with different aspects and capabilities—including some that partly overcome the 16e’s noticeable oversight: no MagSafe.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of noticeable
Adjective
  • The foreign policy shift was evident, as European leaders visited Trump this week at the White House to talk about reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • In fact, sensuality is its muse, which is evident in the aphrodisiac-esque notes.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • Emilia Pérez’s turnout in particular was a fall from seeming dominance, perhaps precipitated by Gascón’s controversy.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
  • That night of violence — with its brutality and seeming lack of a motive — has shaken the community.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
Definition of seeming
Adjective
  • Video game maker Capcom recently highlighted its use of AI to generate visual concepts and proposals for in-game objects to improve game development speed.
    — David Henkin, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • One group, however, chose to make a more visual statement through the power of pink suiting.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of visual
Adjective
  • The entire capsule collection features quirky touches evocative of Johnson’s idiosyncratic and unmistakable approach to fashion.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
  • And so the passion that the Japanese fans have for the game of baseball (was unmistakable).
    — Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of unmistakable

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Cite this Entry

“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apparent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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