PATENT Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

patent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of patent next

as in copyright

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Relevance

as in grant

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patent

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt

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

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as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad a patent error that should have been caught before the book was published

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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

Noun

Now boosted with patent-pending Casper Core+ foam pillars, this crowd pleaser delivers more responsiveness than ever before. —

Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026 Novo Nordisk holds a patent for the precise ingredients and formulation of the Wegovy pill, says Moreno. —

Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Adjective

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

Noun

Policies like professional liability insurance can protect your business from legal claims surrounding copyright violations, errors and mistakes, and would be a deductible expense.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
In Wednesday's ruling, the appeals court opined that even if some of the records are protected by copyright law, Metro Nashville police could still allow the public to inspect them without running afoul of the law.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of copyright

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“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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