patents

noun

plural of patent
1
as in copyrights

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2
as in grants

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Dissimilar Words

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 In the United States, meanwhile, dozens of patents should keep Wegovy generics off the market until 2039, said professor Robin Feldman, a patent expert at the University of California Law-San Francisco. — Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026 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
  1. copyrights
  2. grants
  3. trademarks
  4. prerogatives
Noun
  • Birkenstock has scored yet another legal victory in its efforts to protect its copyrights.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Songs typically carry two copyrights — one for the composition, usually held by songwriters and their publishers, and one for the sound recording, usually owned by the label.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of copyrights
Noun
  • Next, the village hopes to pursue grants to restore the house and develop the area further as a tourist draw, with the potential for new restaurants and a museum, Key said.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The foundation runs like a business, using performance metrics to evaluate its grants and tying funding decisions to outcomes such as job placement rates, Ben Jaafar said.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of grants
Noun
  • 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
  • For relief, the Knicks seek a permanent injunction blocking the defendants from using Knicks trademarks and other intellectual property in connection with the unlicensed sale of goods.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of trademarks
Noun
  • The evening was beautiful, strange, and so far removed from the prerogatives of retail as to suggest that its entire purpose was not to have one.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But my ultimate loyalty rests with the Constitution, which gives certain prerogatives to Congress.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of prerogatives

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Patents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patents. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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