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
With his sister in England and his business associate’s clock patent sold, the railroad scion leapt on the opportunity to propose to his neighbor and crush, Marian Brook, in a swoony, sun-dappled scene. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 21 July 2025 Other historical artifacts from the museum were light bulbs from a Thomas Edison patent trial. —Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Noun
Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time — BlackBerry just sued Facebook for patent infringement last week. —Kurt Wagner, Recode, 17 Mar. 2018 The researchers gathered data on how many different provisions of patent law each examiner invoked, on the theory that a more effective examiner would invoke more patent law provisions, on average. —Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, 5 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
  • The duty-free treatment of the past is on the verge of being replaced with a 50 percent punitive tariff — a shocking and destructive increase that serves no obvious purpose.
    — Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • In particular, the lack of late-inning arms with bat-missing raw stuff stands out as an obvious weakness for the playoffs, as the Tigers’ bullpen has the AL’s lowest strikeout rate overall.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • One of the most important American service exports is higher education but the Trump Administration in this case has displayed blatant disregard for trade balance with its multi-pronged attack on universities and its hostility to international students.
    — Devashish Mitra, Time, 28 July 2025
  • The chart’s most cringeworthy attribute is not the blatant inaccuracy, but the disingenuity.
    — Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of blatant
Noun
  • If the court rules that Anthropic knowingly violated copyright law, the resulting fines could be enormous, potentially in the billions, even at the lower end of the scale.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 July 2025
  • These activities constitute a serious violation of copyright law and other applicable laws and regulations.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of copyright
Noun
  • The grant money for lighting was never in jeopardy.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
  • The form is used to determine eligibility for the Pell Grant, the main federal grant program to help students pay for college, as well as federal student loans and Work-Study.
    — Edward Conroy, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Definition of grant
Adjective
  • Following the News One Now cancellation in 2017, the value of his decision to use his personal equipment became apparent.
    — Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • There are few shows where this is more apparent than Netflix’s The Hunting Wives, a Big Little Lies–esque murder mystery based on a novel of the same name by May Cobb.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • This device solves some of the most glaring problems with Samsung's foldables, featuring a new, slimmer design and a big camera upgrade.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2025
  • The Red Sox could trade from that depth to address a more glaring need.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Definition of glaring
Noun
  • The 55-year-old recently had a one-of-a-kind Blue Diamond statue made of his trademark victory celebration sold via auction for $30,000 through UFC Collectives by Memento Exclusives.
    — DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • In many instances, a boilerplate complaint will outline allegations against counterfeiters, who have committed the highest level of trademark infringement, according to Sarah Fackrell, a professor of intellectual property law at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 July 2025
Definition of trademark
Noun
  • The first charter deal was brokered in 2016; it was updated this past September.
    — Alex Zietlow July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • The Best Way to See it All Perhaps the best way to experience all that Fiji has to offer is by superyacht charter.
    — Sarah Farag, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 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 4 Aug. 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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