evident

adjective

ˈe-və-dənt How to pronounce evident (audio)
Definition of evidentnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 One ongoing trend evident in the report is the shift from traditional media to digital media, with digital rising to 39.7% share globally, up from 37.3% in 2023 and 28.6% in 2019. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025 Building a Culture Without a Playbook For Luger, marketing with an entrepreneurial mindset is also evident in how her teams are built and how decisions are made. —Laura Ratliff, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 This is most evident toward the end of the premiere, which aired Sunday, when the Jackson community gathers at the local church to celebrate New Year’s Eve. —Patricia Karounos, Refinery29, 14 Apr. 2025 And despite putting United’s defence under significant pressure throughout the match, the dearth of clinical edge was evident as City failed to make the most of their chances in the final third. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident
  1. apparent
  2. obvious
  3. unmistakable
  4. possible
  5. clear
  6. straightforward
  7. distinct
Adjective
  • The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the city DEP both cited the MTA earlier this month when an apparent overflow in the depot’s sewage ejection pit ran off into nearby storm drains, spilling what DEC inspectors estimated to be 50 gallons of waste into the bay.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Federal prosecutors also appeared to reveal today that Combs had rejected an apparent plea deal.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • With such a depleted draft stash, the Bucks don't have any obvious levers to pull to help bolster their supporting cast alongside Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Still, Strider was frustrated for obvious reasons and searching for answers.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • She’s been wildly influential without ever being less than unmistakable; no matter what sonic, thematic or characteristic elements other artists may borrow from her, none of them would ever risk being taken for Lana herself.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The song, a collaboration between The Pogues frontman MacGowan and the unmistakable O’Connor, reenters the Official Physical Singles chart at No. 18.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • My Maryland street is proof of that and offers a call for states and the rest of the world to carry on the fight for climate solutions as fast as possible.
    — Mike Tidwell, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Many Andor fans weren’t happy to learn that Disney+ intended to release the show’s second and final season in weekly three-episode chunks, as if the streamer were eager to be done with this outlier entry in the Star Wars franchise as quickly as possible.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The pattern is clear, and the list of terminations is growing.
    — Angel Algarin, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Read more: Steelers Could Close the Door on Aaron Rodgers, Land 134-Touchdown QB Instead Despite the clear interest between the two parties, Rodgers remains a free agent.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • This should be straightforward and create as little of a mess as possible.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Opening a Swiss bank account is fairly straightforward but has to comply with strict U.S. disclosure laws.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • Leaders must align their efforts but never relinquish their distinct accountabilities.
    — Shivali Kukreja, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Harvard University’s endowment, worth $53.2 billion at the end of its 2024 fiscal year, for example, consists of roughly 14,600 distinct funds.
    — Todd L. Ely, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of distinct

Browse Nearby Words

evidencing
evident
evidently
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Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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