I don't know how to demonstrate it, since it's too obvious!
Source: tatoeba (1418)
Obvious
/ˈɑb.vi.əs/
Synonyms for "obvious" (178 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (36)
Adjective(18 words)
apodeicticapparentapparent claimapparent featureapparent randomnessapparent resultbareblatantclearclear argumentclear assertionclear errorclear goalsclear graphclear highlightsclear instructionsclear physical evidenceclear processes
Noun(8 words)
apparently clearaxiomatic definitionaxiomatic systemblaringclear answerclear englishclear evidenceclear explanation
Strong matches (53)
Adjective(18 words)
clear proofclear thumbs-upclear wayclearerconspicuous cuedemonstrabledistinct forcesdistinct groupsevidentevident conclusionevident differenceevident factevident growthevident patternevident resultevident resultsevident trendflorid
Noun(5 words)
clear the billevidently truemore evidentmore unmistakablemost evident
Verb(3 words)
clear-cutconspicuouscrystal clearcrystal-cleardecideddefineddefinitedemonstrabledirectdiscernibledistincteasyevidentexplicitexpressflagrantflamingglaringgrossin focus
Show 4 more words
Adjective(1 words)
crystal clear
Determiner(2 words)
most evident factormost observable data
Related words (89)
Determiner(2 words)
most surfacingthe trivial point
nakednoticeableobservableopenopen-and-shutopenhandedostensibleoutwardovertpalpablepatentperceivableperceptibleperspicuousplainplain as dayprominentpronouncedpublicsalient
Show 32 more words
secureseeableself-esteemself-evidentself-explainingself-explanatorysensiblesimplestaringstarkstraightforwardtangiblethickto be seentranslucenttransparentunambiguousunconcealedundeniableundisguisedundisputedunequivocalunhiddenunivocalunmistakableunquestionableunsubtlevisiblewell-definedwell-markedwell-pronouncedwell-resolved
Adjective(26 words)
noticeable attributenoticeable traitobservable cueobservable eventobservable propertyoutwardphysical objectplainplain color patternplain fabricplain factplain materialsplain proseplainestpublic presentationself evidentshown evidencetrivial pointtrivial questionunmistakable
Show 6 more words
Noun(7 words)
observable indicatorpatent actionreadily apparenttextbook programthe plainvisible celestial bodyvisible incident
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: apodeictic, apparent, apparent, apparent claim, apparent feature.
- apparent: 'Apparent' is gentler, it means visible to anyone who looks, without the implication that you should have already noticed.
- Sentence evidence is available for obvious, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "obvious".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "obvious"
Keep "obvious" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "obvious" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "obvious", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "obvious" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
How these synonyms differ
- apparent - 'Apparent' is gentler, it means visible to anyone who looks, without the implication that you should have already noticed.
- blatant - 'Blatant' is obvious and offensive, a blatant lie, a blatant foul. It implies that no effort was made to hide the wrongdoing.
- conspicuous - 'Conspicuous' means obvious because it stands out, a conspicuous absence, conspicuous consumption. The attention it draws is the point.
- evident - 'Evident' is measured and formal, the evidence makes it clear. It respects the reader's intelligence more than 'obvious' does.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
6 entriesobvious conclusionobvious errorobvious pointobvious resultobvious signobvious solution
Collocations
6 entriesobvious factobvious mistakeobvious outcomeobvious reasonobvious signobvious solution
Inflections
2 entriesmore obviousmost obvious
Derivations
2 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
19 entriesapparentaxiomaticdemonstrableevidentfrankmanifestopenopen-and-shutovertpalpablepatentplainprovableself-evidentself-explanatorytaken for granted
Showing 16 of 19 words.
Sample sentences
15 total sentences available.
Most scientific breakthroughs are nothing else than the discovery of the obvious.
Source: tatoeba (1742)
If you see a man approaching you with the obvious intention of doing you good, you should run for your life.
Source: tatoeba (2342)
It is obvious why you have a stomach-ache.
Source: tatoeba (17970)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "obvious"?
Closest matches include apodeictic, apparent, apparent, apparent claim, apparent feature.
How is "apparent" different from "obvious"?
'Apparent' is gentler, it means visible to anyone who looks, without the implication that you should have already noticed.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "obvious"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.