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

as in copyright

Related Words

Relevance

as in grant

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Propagating ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia is patent-protected and cannot be propagated. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026 The pouch is closely related to a hole in the heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). — Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 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

Those same capabilities fit the copyright problem remarkably well.

— Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
But that free-wheeling period of sampling came to an end as copyright infringement litigation against artist Biz Markie led to new rules around it, creating both a logistical and financial barrier to its use.

— Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of copyright

Noun

Chile, for example, imposes no obligation to spend the grant at home, while France typically wants half spent in France.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
His persecution has continued up until now; last month, the administration accused the Smithsonian of discrimination and threatened to cut federal grants.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of grant

Adjective

The tents with a bathroom in them, a seemingly obvious upgrade from those without (there’s a communal washroom), have toilets that aren’t completely enclosed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Put the paths of 1991, 2009 and 2027 on a globe, and the approximately 120-degree westward jump between successive members becomes immediately obvious.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

The move appeared as a blatant response to stadium owner Robert Kraft’s role in having rapper Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments onstage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
That said, even in a sport now infamous for quick cash grabs, this feels like the most blatant of them all.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of blatant

Noun

Bakker offered upbeat sermons and Tammy Faye, charismatic and always wearing her trademark heavy mascara, sang.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Her distinctive costumes, turbans, platform shoes and rapid-fire singing style became instantly recognizable trademarks and opened the doors to Hollywood.

— Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of trademark

Adjective

This change is apparent in the fact that European governments, too, are cutting funding for religious freedom advocacy.

— Matthew Schmitz, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Ken Urker, the partner of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, made comments about being depressed before being found dead in his Louisiana home from an apparent drug overdose, authorities said.

— Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

Despite internal dissent within the intelligence community and a glaring lack of hard evidence, the media did little to challenge these claims.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
One glaring example is the current hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin.

— Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of glaring

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“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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