patent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt How to pronounce patent (audio)
Definition of patentnext
1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation unfortunately, the patent stupidity of the proposal did not deter the city council from putting it up for a vote

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blatant
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a patent error that should have been caught before the book was published

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

patent

2 of 2

noun

1
as in copyright

Related Words
2
as in grant

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective patent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patent are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

How are the words apparent and evident related as synonyms of patent?

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

for no apparent reason

When would clear be a good substitute for patent?

In some situations, the words clear and patent are roughly equivalent. However, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When can distinct be used instead of patent?

The words distinct and patent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

Where would evident be a reasonable alternative to patent?

The synonyms evident and patent are sometimes interchangeable, but evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When is it sensible to use manifest instead of patent?

The words manifest and patent can be used in similar contexts, but manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

When could obvious be used to replace patent?

The meanings of obvious and patent largely overlap; however, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When might plain be a better fit than patent?

While the synonyms plain and patent are close in meaning, 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 patent
Adjective
The patent for this low-latency wireless communication protocol, spearheaded by NREL power electronics Sarwar Islam, is pending. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025 Cochrane applied for the patent on the final day of 1885 and was granted it just after Christmas the following year. —Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
The caveat that Edison filed in 1890 was the latest in a long line of pre-patent applications. —Nat Segnit, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Mar. 2022 Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time — BlackBerry just sued Facebook for patent infringement last week. —Kurt Wagner, Recode, 17 Mar. 2018 See All Example Sentences for patent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patent
  1. obvious
  2. blatant
  3. copyright
  4. grant
  5. apparent
  6. glaring
  7. trademark
  8. charter
Adjective
  • And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.
    — Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Other derision of Lilith Fair artists was more blatant.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Moss was blatant — quite blatant — about owning a bad day, and went about his offseason with a purpose.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of blatant
Noun
  • Tech companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia have used these datasets to develop generative video tools that can churn out custom clips, raising unresolved legal questions about copyright and fair use.
    — Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Shira Perlmutter, described by her attorneys as a leading copyright expert, was appointed by then-Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in October 2020.
    — Peter Aitken Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of copyright
Noun
  • And in July, US Congresswoman Shontel Brown of Ohio reintroduced legislation to create a new federal grant program for fibroid detection.
    — Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • CareQuest is evaluating how to use AI tools to monitor real-time progress on grant applications, implement planning and forecasting tools, and how to leverage other technologies that free up people’s time, minimize errors, and create efficiencies.
    — Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of grant
Adjective
  • The apparent hoaxes come amid heightened concern over campus safety following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Paramount’s apparent interest is no surprise since the company’s ambitious new CEO, David Ellison, has talked about a desire to strike further deals.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • This education gap in preparing employees to use AI and other new technologies effectively is a glaring, industry-wide need.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Lakers have dedicated their offseason to addressing some of the glaring deficiencies that cut last season's playoff run short and locking down superstar Luka Doncic long term.
    — Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of glaring
Noun
  • One of the most recent cases includes the high court’s 2017 decision in Matal v Tam, in which the justices ruled that a law preventing trademarks of disparaging terms was unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The great thing about the Dove partnership is that Lynch is able to be himself and show off that trademark humor -- with a lot of expletives -- in the social media teasers for the fragrance.
    — DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of trademark
Noun
  • School leaders say that when the public charter network has opened buildings across the city since its founding in 1999, the crime rate tends to drop in the respective neighborhood.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • As a public charter, Great Oaks Academy is funded by state and federal money, McGlynn said.
    — Mars King, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of charter

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Cite this Entry

“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patent

Nglish: Translation of patent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patent

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