apparent
adjective
ap·par·ent
ə-ˈper-ənt 
-ˈpa-rənt
1
: open to view : visible
The changes were readily apparent.
2
: clear or manifest to the understanding
for reasons that are apparent
3
: appearing as actual to the eye or mind
was in apparent danger
4
: manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid
died of an apparent heart attack
The air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real.—
J. R. Sutherland
J. R. Sutherland5
law
: having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate
Synonyms
Examples of apparent in a Sentence
"Reborn" is overwhelmingly a record of an inner landscape, and so there is little sense of the times—no mention of civil-rights demonstrations, no arguments about Cuba. Sontag barely even let her journal know that she was at work on a novel, although the effects of that undertaking are perhaps apparent in the increasingly aphoristic style of her pages.
—Darryl Pinckney, New Yorker, 22 & 29 Dec. 2008
He believes that the key to memory, despite its apparent complexities, will eventually prove to be simple: a single molecule. He may be right.
—Michael Greenberg, New York Review of Books, 4 Dec. 2008
Since last fall, beekeepers in at least 35 states have reported colonies that shrank rapidly for no apparent reason. Adult bees just go missing, leaving behind young bees in need of tending.
—Susan Milius, Science News, 28 July 2007
The Internal Revenue Service last week suggested that between 1 million and 2 million Americans have overseas bank accounts that issued them credit or debit cards-the apparent purpose being to evade U.S. taxes.
—Robert J. Samuelson, Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2002
From the beginning, it was apparent that she was not an ordinary child.
He started yelling and throwing things for no apparent reason.
We disagreed on the apparent meaning of the movie.
What was the apparent cause of the accident?
Darryl Pinckney, New Yorker, 22 & 29 Dec. 2008
He believes that the key to memory, despite its apparent complexities, will eventually prove to be simple: a single molecule. He may be right.
—Michael Greenberg, New York Review of Books, 4 Dec. 2008
Since last fall, beekeepers in at least 35 states have reported colonies that shrank rapidly for no apparent reason. Adult bees just go missing, leaving behind young bees in need of tending.
—Susan Milius, Science News, 28 July 2007
The Internal Revenue Service last week suggested that between 1 million and 2 million Americans have overseas bank accounts that issued them credit or debit cards-the apparent purpose being to evade U.S. taxes.
—Robert J. Samuelson, Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2002
From the beginning, it was apparent that she was not an ordinary child.
He started yelling and throwing things for no apparent reason.
We disagreed on the apparent meaning of the movie.
What was the apparent cause of the accident?
Recent Examples on the Web
But the intensity of solar retinopathy causes permanent damage that isn’t immediately apparent.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
That consistency over two decades is apparent in the trajectory of the line below.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Nowhere is this more apparent than in programming, where abstraction isn’t just a conceptual convenience but an absolute necessity.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024
Why looking directly at a solar eclipse is so dangerous for your eyes 01:41
Eye problems caused by looking at the eclipse without special glasses may not be apparent immediately, sometimes appearing one to a few days following the event.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Brown reacts to blown call The NBA in its Last 2 Minute report for the Kings’ loss to the Celtics confirmed what was apparent in the final seconds: Jones was fouled when he was hit in the face by Celtics guard Svi Mykhailuk while attempting a go-ahead putback with 1.9 seconds remaining.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
But the opposing pressures that have buffeted U.S. policy since the crisis began were already apparent in two events that coincided with Biden’s visit.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Indeed, at a glance the likeness between the affable actor and the autocrat isn’t readily apparent — but onstage Keen utterly transforms in mind and body.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
But the lesson hasn’t been painfully apparent to the dozens of companies that reported not getting enough for their DEI marketing buck.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
That consistency over two decades is apparent in the trajectory of the line below.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Nowhere is this more apparent than in programming, where abstraction isn’t just a conceptual convenience but an absolute necessity.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024
Why looking directly at a solar eclipse is so dangerous for your eyes 01:41
Eye problems caused by looking at the eclipse without special glasses may not be apparent immediately, sometimes appearing one to a few days following the event.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Brown reacts to blown call The NBA in its Last 2 Minute report for the Kings’ loss to the Celtics confirmed what was apparent in the final seconds: Jones was fouled when he was hit in the face by Celtics guard Svi Mykhailuk while attempting a go-ahead putback with 1.9 seconds remaining.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
But the opposing pressures that have buffeted U.S. policy since the crisis began were already apparent in two events that coincided with Biden’s visit.
—Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Indeed, at a glance the likeness between the affable actor and the autocrat isn’t readily apparent — but onstage Keen utterly transforms in mind and body.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
But the lesson hasn’t been painfully apparent to the dozens of companies that reported not getting enough for their DEI marketing buck.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apparent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing apparent
Articles Related to apparent
Dictionary Entries Near apparent
Cite this Entry
“Apparent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apparent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
apparent
adjective
ap·par·ent
ə-ˈpar-ənt
-ˈper-
Medical Definition
apparent
adjective
ap·par·ent
ə-ˈpar-ənt, -ˈper-
1
: clear or manifest to the senses
no apparent cause for the condition
2
: manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be valid upon deeper investigation
the apparent stimulating action of a sedative drug may actually result from its depressant effect—D. W. Maurer & V. H. Vogel
D. W. Maurer & V. H. Vogel
Legal Definition
apparent
adjective
ap·par·ent
1
: capable of being easily seen, perceived, or discovered
apparent defects
apparent ambiguity
2
: having a right to succeed to a title or estate that cannot be defeated
3
: appearing to one's senses and especially one's vision or to one's understanding as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be correct or factual
an apparent ability to cause injury
the apparent scope of the agent's authority
apparently
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on apparent
Nglish: Translation of apparent for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of apparent for Arabic Speakers
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