SELF-EVIDENT Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

self-evident

adjective

ˌself-ˈe-və-dənt

Definition of self-evident

as in obvious

not needing proof in order to be accepted the self-evident truth that all people have the right of self-determination

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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 self-evident These were self-evident rules, and the women followed them piously. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026 From the European cultural point of view there was, here in the Mediterranean, a pragmatic culture which regarded the divine presence as self-evident. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 The parts of the declaration worth knowing about are the soaring sentences in the opening paragraphs about self-evident truths, pursuing happiness and all men being created equal. — Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 In 2026, not all truths appear to be self-evident. — Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-evident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-evident

Adjective

The comparisons between the start of Ray Allen’s and Klay Thompson’s Miami Heat stories seem obvious.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet with no obvious signs of trauma, the researchers couldn’t say what sent the woman to an early grave.

— Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Statements tend to be axiomatic rather than descriptive of particular individuals.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
Just a few years after the arrival of ZF, Kurt Gödel showed that no axiomatic system capable of basic arithmetic can be used to prove its own consistency.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of axiomatic

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

Definition of evident

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

Definition of apparent

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self-evidence

self-evident

self-evidently

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

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Synonyms of self-evident

adjective

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