manifest 1 of 3

Definition of manifestnext

manifest

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verb

manifest

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective manifest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manifest are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of manifest?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

When could clear be used to replace manifest?

The words clear and manifest can be used in similar contexts, but 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 manifest?

The meanings of distinct and manifest largely overlap; however, 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 manifest?

While in some cases nearly identical to manifest, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

Where would obvious be a reasonable alternative to manifest?

While the synonyms obvious and manifest 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 can patent be used instead of manifest?

The words patent and manifest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 manifest?

Although the words plain and manifest 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 manifest
Adjective
But in the scene where Willy asks for a job in town, not schlepping every week to New England, all the fears of the older worker are manifest. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026 Like Jacobs, Coppola is highly invested in fashion, an interest that is manifest in her work. Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Over the past two years, Bridges has manifested as a brilliant off-ball defender who isn’t nearly as effective once opponents cycle him through pick-and-rolls. Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026 After apparently manifesting a little too hard, her new beau suddenly shows up at her door. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Noun
An Ellis Island manifest, dated April 21, 1906, documents his arrival in the United States, along with his mother and brother. Glenn Kurtz, Time, 28 Mar. 2026 The airline confirmed the incident and said a preliminary manifest listed 72 passengers and four crew members on board at the time of the collision. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • Patricia Peck, a council member of Brazil’s Data Protection Authority and author of 46 books on law and technology, said the country’s executive and judicial branches have pushed for big techs to be proactive against crimes online despite evident stagnation of the debate in congress.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 May 2026
  • Finally, after my sister had been hacking away for three minutes or so, one man stood, stared, anger evident on his face, and stomped away.
    Tom Levenson, Time, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • At the time, makeup artist Jazzy B revealed that the party included toys, slides and even a ball pit in several posts shared on Instagram.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
  • The marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub (and Natura Bisse amenities) is separated from the bedroom by a set of wooden shutters that can be opened to reveal the room and the outdoor view beyond, if desired.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Each object was made by someone, with a precise intention—to embody a necessary purpose, once held in relation to a community.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • Every brand had its rendition, and their ubiquity was no accident—the best leather sneakers embody timelessness and add understated elegance to any outfit.
    Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The index is back in the green after steep losses at the end of last week.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • Providers that can deliver this combination are positioned to become the pricing utility for tokenized markets in the same way index providers and rating agencies are instrumental in traditional finance.
    Mike Cahill, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Just a five-minute walk from the loading zone is the entrance to the fissure, an unassuming sliver of water that snakes between the dark volcanic rocks.
    Carinne Geil Botta, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
  • Modern Perspectives on Laundry Sorting With the growing popularity of large-capacity front-loading washers in the late 1990s, consumers welcomed the possibility of washing all of the dirty laundry in the hamper at the same time.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Georgia city’s northwest Buckhead neighborhood has been overrun in the last couple of weeks by empty, driverless ride-share vehicles due to an apparent routing behavior issue.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • Their apparent approach will culminate in a spectacular conjunction on June 9, when the two brightest planets in the night sky appear exceptionally close together after sunset.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Purpose dissolves into who owns it, who displays it, who claims authority over it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
  • This content can only be displayed if JavaScript is enabled.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • In its search to find the language to express the truths of the moment, Rehearsals for a Revolution is not afraid to question its own gestures — to doubt itself and to be vulnerable.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2026
  • While talking to James Haskell and Alex Payne, his co-hosts on his podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, Tindall discussed his 2011 wedding to Zara Phillips, and expressed his surprise that rugby star James Haskell had not made a fool out of himself then.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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