OBVIOUS Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'obvious' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obvious are apparent , clear , distinct , evident , manifest , patent , and plain . While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. // the obvious solution

Q: How do 'apparent' and 'evident' relate to one another, in the sense of 'obvious'?

Apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. // for no apparent reason

Q: When is 'clear' a more appropriate choice than 'obvious'?

The synonyms clear and obvious are sometimes interchangeable, but clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. // a clear explanation

Q: In what contexts can 'distinct' take the place of 'obvious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obvious , distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. // a distinct refusal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'evident' instead of 'obvious'?

Although the words evident and obvious have much in common, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. // an evident fondness for sweets

Q: When might 'manifest' be a better fit than 'obvious'?

The words manifest and obvious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. // manifest hostility

Q: When would 'patent' be a good substitute for 'obvious'?

While the synonyms patent and obvious are close in meaning, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. // patent defects

Q: When could 'plain' be used to replace 'obvious'?

In some situations, the words plain and obvious are roughly equivalent. However, plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. // her feelings about him are plain

obvious

adjective

ˈäb-vē-əs

Definition of obvious next

as in apparent

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation that remark was an obvious joke, so lighten up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad obvious errors in the book that the editor or proofreader should have caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obvious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obvious are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

How do apparent and evident relate to one another, in the sense of obvious?

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

for no apparent reason

When is clear a more appropriate choice than obvious?

The synonyms clear and obvious are sometimes interchangeable, but clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

In what contexts can distinct take the place of obvious?

While in some cases nearly identical to obvious, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When is it sensible to use evident instead of obvious?

Although the words evident and obvious have much in common, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

When might manifest be a better fit than obvious?

The words manifest and obvious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

When would patent be a good substitute for obvious?

While the synonyms patent and obvious are close in meaning, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When could plain be used to replace obvious?

In some situations, the words plain and obvious are roughly equivalent. However, 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 obvious Wired reports that Rajpal has demonstrated an interest in libertarian politics, cryptocurrency, and right-wing publications, but has no obvious aptitude for the traditionally nonpartisan work done at NOAA. —

Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2025 When roughly 117 million people tune into Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Roach will represent the most obvious Colorado connection. —

Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025 But just as the rise of AI will be obvious in the ads, the challenges facing the entertainment business will also be reflected. —

Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025 Subway crime is an obsession of New Yorkers, for obvious reasons. —

Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for obvious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obvious

Adjective

The film’s general rigidity and lack of thrills become more apparent when Levi accidentally falls into the gorge.

— Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
The Sixers lose to all sorts of teams, with no apparent traits that should target Philadelphia’s weakness.

— Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025