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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
The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences. Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025 At the time, the island was still an agrarian place, where farmers tended rice paddies and raised water buffalos, but the possibility of war was manifest in the landscape. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Most pregnant people are warned about the risks of preeclampsia during pregnancy, which typically manifests as swelling in hands, feet, and face, and can result in premature birth for the baby and even stroke or kidney failure for the person giving birth if not properly treated. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025 Each time the group performs, new possibilities manifest. Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
Those aboard the plane included an American national, a French national and two minors, Reuters reported, citing the flight manifest shown by local media. Bonny Chu, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025 Other names on the manifest include Mia Goth, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, Benny Safdie and Cosmo Jarvis, among others. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • The fact that Affleck and Lopez have been committed to staying close with each other’s kids has been evident since the early days of the divorce rumors.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Political representatives are sensitive to elections, as is evident in the close races in Florida on April 1.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In September 2023, another investigation with Webb – an advanced telescope launched in 2021 outfitted with powerful infrared instruments – revealed something more: traces of carbon-bearing molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, including methane and carbon dioxide.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While Garcia didn't reveal any other details about the baby, the video showed a close-up of the little one wrapped in a purple swaddle.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That dance of crowds and machines embodied the spirit of the age.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The American brand enters a new chapter with the actress and producer who, per the brand, embodies Coach’s Courage to Be Real mission, rooted in inspiring confidence and authentic self-expression.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • So, the stakes have risen along with the index’s run from the low.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Then there’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the granddaddy of the major indices.
    MoneyShow, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Users of the app reported an unending loading screen while the website featured a 502 error message.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Regarding color, the Switch 2's screen is an upgrade from the original Switch's LCD; the red in the loading screen appeared well-saturated in our time with the handheld.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • To a casual observer, the difference between o1 and o1-pro might not be immediately apparent, yet the performance gap in business tasks can be substantial.
    Andrew Filev, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That was apparent during their weekend series at Progressive Field against the reigning American League Central champion Guardians.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Federal authorities allege Cui and Miller paid two other people about $36,500 to convince the victim not to display the statues.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The soon-to-be 23-year-old displayed impressive contact balance and routinely churned out additional yards after being hit, but his workload in college (879 carries in five years) raises questions about his long-term outlook in the NFL. 191.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Yi Ming’s personal resilience and love of light is expressed in the work.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of Scientific American.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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