patents

Definition of patentsnext
plural of patent

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 patents Viture further claims similar patents have have been rejected in China, and that Xreal’s patent adds only minor, appearance-level changes rather than true optical innovation. Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 After all, patents do temporarily block rival companies from introducing copycat products to compete against the earlier inventor and patent holder. David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026 For example, if prior art reveals that a new combination therapy improves treatment outcomes, officials may deem subsequent patents using the same drug cocktail as obvious and refuse to grant or enforce the patent. Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patents
Noun
  • The company’s catalog includes more than 19,000 copyrights and master recordings including songs written and recorded by Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Christopher Cross, Drake, Joan Jett, Lewis Capaldi, Run the Jewels, SWV, and more.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
  • That framework should also ensure that children are protected, censorship is prevented, copyrights are respected, and communities are safeguarded.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The school is run by the nonprofit group Shining Hope for Communities and many students attend through grants.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Under state law, religious colleges can’t receive EASE grants.
    Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Wade’s lawsuit also pointed to the defendants’ own previous legal actions to protect Swift’s trademarks.
    Joe Kottke, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Existing trademarks typically take precedence over new bids.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Surprise, surprise, JPMorgan Chase and other big banks survived this outrageous assault upon their prerogatives.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The district judge declined her jurisdictional prerogatives, saying that the case was too serious to be settled in a magistrates’ court and must be heard by a Crown Court, which deals with the most severe criminal offenses.
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Patents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patents. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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