self-evident

adjective

self-ev·​i·​dent ˌself-ˈe-və-dənt How to pronounce self-evident (audio)
-ˌdent
: evident without proof or reasoning
self-evidently adverb

Examples of self-evident in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The answer to a better way forward may seem self-evident—on the surface. Jay Hakami, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Though much of the movie’s dialogue was written in the script, Gordon transformed it drastically, and that transformation is self-evident in Dale’s sharp, savvy vocabulary and witty turns of phrase. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 At this point, the observation that Joe Biden is for all intents and purposes defunct is not an opinion so much as a self-evident fact. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 12 Feb. 2024 Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: The answer is self-evident because advertisers pay the biggest rates of the programming year. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024 By now, it’s become self-evident that not all viral recipes are created equal. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 For them, after decades spent illegally occupying Palestinian lands, Israel is the problem and the solution is self-evident: The Israel Defense Forces need to stop shooting and leave Gaza. Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024 To most people, this observation is self-evident — even banal. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 By the lights of the elite class, however, the evil of Trump is as self-evident as the necessity of masking and vaccines to quell the spread of COVID-19, and anyone who dissents must be overruled. Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-evident.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-evident was in 1643

Dictionary Entries Near self-evident

Cite this Entry

“Self-evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-evident. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-evident

adjective
self-ev·​i·​dent
ˈsel-ˈfev-əd-ənt,
-ə-ˌdent
: having no need of proof
self-evident truths

More from Merriam-Webster on self-evident

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