evident

adjective

ˈe-və-dənt How to pronounce evident (audio)
Definition of evidentnext
1
as in apparent
appearing to be true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be confirmed the evident cause of the accident was icy road conditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation the man was discovered dead in his apartment, but there were no evident signs of foul play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective evident contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of evident are apparent, clear, distinct, manifest, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

How do apparent and evident relate to one another?

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

for no apparent reason

When can clear be used instead of evident?

The meanings of clear and evident largely overlap; however, clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

When would distinct be a good substitute for evident?

The words distinct and evident can be used in similar contexts, but distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When could manifest be used to replace evident?

In some situations, the words manifest and evident are roughly equivalent. However, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

In what contexts can obvious take the place of evident?

While the synonyms obvious and evident 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 might patent be a better fit than evident?

While in some cases nearly identical to evident, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

Where would plain be a reasonable alternative to evident?

Although the words plain and evident 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 evident Apple's change in approach is evident in its latest app for iOS, Apple Invites. —Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 11 Mar. 2025 This was also a matchup between what were the top two teams in the Western Conference, but the now 12-game advantage OKC holds over both the Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers at the top was evident on the court. —Matias Grez, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 The long tail of COVID is still evident in today's marketplace. —Joann Muller, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 The effects of inexpensive drones are evident in today’s conflicts. —Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evident
Recent Examples of Synonyms for evident
  1. apparent
  2. obvious
  3. unmistakable
  4. possible
  5. clear
  6. straightforward
  7. distinct
Adjective
  • Elvia Anaya, administrative specialist at Omni Laundry, told Rivet that the upsides of producing in L.A. are readily apparent.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
  • On a separate note, a major situation around fertility or a child could be apparent.
    — Kyle Thomas, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • This year organizers are acknowledging openly what’s been obvious for a while.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Then there are the injuries and other conditions that emergency physicians treat regularly that are often preventable — but may not be obvious to the rest of us.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Although the translations into English are awkward, especially across the differences in poetic rhyme scheme and structure, the sentiment is unmistakable.
    — Eli Amdur, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Charismatic slacker Raj and uptight striver Mir aren’t just foils for each other; their mutual love is unmistakable, which gives weight to the looming prospect that the stress of salvaging Baba’s empire could tear them apart.
    — Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • He has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The focus of Thursday's summit will be finances, and how to set the EU up as quickly as possible to provide for its own security, and help Ukraine, while breaking with decades of dependence on the U.S. defense umbrella.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • The long-term ramifications of these cuts remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Department of Education is facing a period of significant upheaval.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Gentry steered clear from the sparkly Miu Miu HotPants that were all the rage last year.
    — Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • The hardware seemed mature and ready to use today -- the process to snap on and take off is straightforward, and once connected the camera UI switches to the optical lens.
    — Ben Sin, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The mission, though, is much more straightforward: Explore the origins of the universe.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • Taste a sampling of their distinct bottlings (the Pét-Nat is a personal favorite) or sign up for one of Johan Vineyard's calendar events, like Lambapalooza (May 10)—a kid-friendly program with farm manager, Nathan Wood that weaves together wine and the estate's resident baby sheep.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • By sharing rights, the Bond franchise has arrived at a very different type of storytelling, one that fragments the story and multiplies the James Bonds to be experienced across distinct media.
    — Colin Burnett, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of distinct

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Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evident. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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