Definition of manifestnext

manifest

2 of 3

verb

manifest

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective manifest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manifest are apparent, clear, distinct, evident, obvious, patent, and plain. While all these words mean "readily perceived or apprehended," manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

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

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

for no apparent reason

When could clear be used to replace manifest?

The words clear and manifest can be used in similar contexts, 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 manifest?

The meanings of distinct and manifest largely overlap; however, distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

When might evident be a better fit than manifest?

While in some cases nearly identical to manifest, evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

Where would obvious be a reasonable alternative to manifest?

While the synonyms obvious and manifest are close in meaning, obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

When can patent be used instead of manifest?

The words patent and manifest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

When is plain a more appropriate choice than manifest?

Although the words plain and manifest have much in common, 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 manifest
Adjective
That contrast was also manifest in the relative outcomes; the White House only belatedly announced deals for the sale of 200 Boeing jets and at least $17 billion of American agricultural products annually to China through 2028. Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 May 2026 Part of what makes this season so compelling is that Ohtani has made his desires so manifest. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 May 2026
Verb
Freeman has already seen Heyward manifest his dreams once — and vice versa. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 What started out as a vibe to channel your idyllic Italian vacation has now manifested into the rich, red-orange hue taking over runways and blush and lip palettes everywhere. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
In its 250th year, America thrives as a living expression of God’s promise manifest through freedom. Sara O'Meara, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 At least nine SpaceX partners and customers told the publication that SpaceX is not accepting Transporter reservations beyond late 2028 or early 2029, and the manifest for the next couple of years is nearly full. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for manifest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manifest
Adjective
  • This issue is particularly evident among younger employees, as 20% of Gen Z workers report experiencing loneliness frequently—approximately double the rate reported by Millennials.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Boise State is among college football’s top teams for returning talent in 2026, and that fact is perhaps no more evident than in the running back room.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With Howe stepping down and Matthias Jaissle, the 38-year-old German, replacing him, and with plans finally revealed for a new £190m training ground, Newcastle have embraced the shock of the new.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Very little has been revealed about The Batman Part II‘s plot.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • China’s focus on humanoid robots and embodied AI still faces obstacles.
    Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
  • DeepMind is gaining ground, however, in robotics, embodied AI and machine learning for science.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • If those gains survive the waning months of 2026, all three indexes would post their fourth consecutive year of gains.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The rise lifted some components of the index into overbought territory, as measured by the relative strength index (RSI), a momentum indicator that tracks the speed and size of price changes.
    Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In fact, trade intelligence firm Kpler said Iran’s August crude export loadings have collapsed more than 80% compared to a year ago.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran's crude loadings are down about 70% in August from 893,000 bpd last month.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • This led to a segment on Newsmax in which anchor Carl Higbie deleted one Jelly Roll song from his phone on air, demonstrating the apparent righteous power of tapping a touch-screen button.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Colleges put limits on the right of students and teachers to express points of view that departed from this new apparent consensus.
    Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Aggregators and Suppliers Are Not the Same Thing A car rental aggregator is a platform that searches and displays inventory from multiple rental suppliers, allowing travelers to compare rates across dozens of providers at once.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone displaying such pedestrian tastes would immediately be expelled from the room.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the comments of an Instagram upload from Bustle, which also showed Stoermer’s Stories post, fans expressed their disappointment with Euphoria‘s conclusion in the comments.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani opened the news conference by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families and thanking the officers who responded.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Manifest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manifest. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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