patent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of patentnext
1
as in copyright

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in grant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

patent

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpa-tᵊnt How to pronounce patent (audio)
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

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

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
Noun
The company's strategy aims to combine cost efficiencies and risk abatements with potential patent protections. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025 The team has applied for a patent for their device and is working with a national washing machine manufacturer to commercialize it. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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. copyright
  2. grant
  3. obvious
  4. blatant
  5. trademark
  6. charter
  7. apparent
  8. glaring
Noun
  • Globally, foreign sales of U.S. copyright products outperform other major industries including chemicals manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and aerospace products.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Today, her firm, R.J. Pierce Law Group, helps minority entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners secure their intellectual property through trademarks and copyright protection.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of copyright
Noun
  • In the last four years, the county has won more than $22 million in grants from the state of Florida focused on stormwater pollution and flooding.
    — Courtney Heath, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Recently, several active research grants related to studies involving LGBTQ+ issues, as well as gender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion, were canceled at the National Institutes of Health.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of grant
Adjective
  • Find the right dog kennel site This may seem obvious, but good site selection can mean the difference between a single workday and an entire holiday weekend.
    — Patrick Brady, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The crony character of protectionism becomes obvious when examining the labyrinthine incoherence of U.S. trade policy.
    — David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • The attacks targeted various areas in the south, all the way to Beirut, in a blatant and repeated violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and the security of its citizens, a challenge to international law, and a flagrant breach of the ceasefire agreement.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Things calmed down until the 89th minute, when Mexico was awarded a spot kick after the blatant handball from Córdoba inside his own penalty area.
    — Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of blatant
Noun
  • The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board determined that DC Swim Week-Miami Swim Week The Shows had improperly registered the Miami Swim Week trademark and its use of the phrase was causing consumer confusion, the company said.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Jason Kelce is already showing his newest little one his trademark sense of humor.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of trademark
Noun
  • In the relatively calm, turquoise seas of the Ionian Sea, flotilla yacht charters are great for family and friends seeking easygoing sailing between islands, including Corfu, Lefkas, and Paxos.
    — Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Most travelers who think of deportation flights probably imagine air charter flights in which a full aircraft is chartered to expel a group of migrants.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of charter
Adjective
  • Wood joins his several other denizens of Middle-earth in shedding light on the apparent disparity between the franchise's astounding earnings and correspondingly low salaries for its stars.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • And with no apparent competition for the starting job, the redshirt junior can focus on his own game rather than competing with the guys around him.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • For now, though, the most glaring question mark is at left guard.
    — Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • In some years, the misalignment is even more glaring: In 2023, 7.9 percent of people who filled out the survey self-declared as vegan or vegetarian, but only 1.8 percent actually ate that way consistently.
    — Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of glaring

Browse Nearby Words

pate
patent
patented
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on patent

Nglish: Translation of patent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All