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patent

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adjective

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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

Examples 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 expansion more than doubles the total number of patents that EA has opened up since launching the pledge in 2021, and includes generation and recognition tools for speech and audio. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2024 Choose from a long list of markdowns up to 50% off in every fabrication, from plain leather to patent and suede, that are sure to dazzle and delight. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024
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
Noun
  • This approach is awakening creators and copyright owners to the true value of their data and the importance of ownership.
    Tonya M. Evans, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Previously, under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the government attempted to agree a voluntary AI copyright code of practice.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
  • Because unlike grants, starting an apprenticeship program is not a one-time expense.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • One of the additions should be quite obvious to anybody following the Yankees' offseason closely.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Even now, the demand for change-resilient experts with transferable skills is already obvious across multiple industries, especially in tech and IT.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Editor’s picks On its own, its is a pretty blatant example of how TikTok’s popular meme formats allow creators to connect over moments that only become funny with time.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Many with a blatant lack of sympathy towards the murder victim.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Alexander-Arnold’s trademark passes down the line remain a prominent part of his game, frequently finding a midfielder pulling wide — often Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai — or delivering a searching ball for the tireless Mohamed Salah.
    Mark Carey, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
  • To be sure, securing trademarks is a relatively perfunctory bit of legal housekeeping and doesn’t necessarily indicate grander plans are underway.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Or hop aboard a day dive charter to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests.
    Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
  • That is as sacred a trust of care as our founding charter imposes.
    The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Behind the scenes, fans speculated about an apparent rift between Lively and Baldoni, who avoided one another other during press junkets and appeared separately on red carpets.
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Witkoff was with Trump during the apparent second assassination attempt on his life, telling NBC that Secret Service agents dived on Trump and got him off his Florida golf course in under 20 seconds.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Establish User Fees for Expedited Permitting Reviews One of the most glaring problems in infrastructure and energy development are the delays caused by an excessively complex environmental permitting process.
    James Broughel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Among the most glaring examples is Ninth Division Commander Gen. Roh Tae-gun (Park Jae-hoon, excellent), a weak-willed lackey seduced by power and greed who’s based on Roh Tae-woo, Chun’s successor as president in 1988.
    Richard Kuipers, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near patent

Cite this Entry

“Patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patent. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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