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 next

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

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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

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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 Emidio Oceguera, owner and founder of Cerdito Muerto, which translates to the Dead Piglet in Spanish, clearly conjured powerful spirit guides, evident in his painstaking transformation of a historic building that survived not only the Great Chicago Fire but also real estate development. —

Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Miller will join five-star commitment Maxwell Hiller in the 2027 class and line up inside for offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, whose recruiting impact has been evident since new head coach Jon Sumrall hired him in December. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 There’s an evident character Sullivan and Hafley are looking for with many of their picks, similar to what linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a second-round pick, was for Texas Tech. —

David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 Kennedy’s overhaul of the group and its unfamiliarity with some of the nitty-gritty of procedural requirements was evident throughout the afternoon. —

O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for evident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident

Adjective

Jayson Tatum also suffered an apparent calf injury, which is a major concern for a player just under a year removed from an Achilles injury.

— Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 May 2026
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in his 20s with apparent gunshot wounds.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

Definition of apparent

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“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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