apparent

adjective

ap·par·ent | \ ə-ˈper-ənt

, -ˈpa-rənt\

Definition of apparent

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

5 law : having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate

Other Words from apparent Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about apparent

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Choose the Right Synonym for apparent

apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates. apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge. the apparent cause of the accident illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view. an illusory sense of security seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else. the seeming simplicity of the story ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one. the ostensible reason for their visit

synonyms see in addition evident

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?

Recent Examples on the Web

More than 20 people were shot in apparent random attacks. — Los Angeles Times, "Texas mass shooting: Gunman identified; death toll rises to 8, including shooter," 1 Sep. 2019 For no apparent reason, prices of cryptocurrencies plunged on Wednesday. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "How Fitbit Could Stage a Comeback With Its New Watch and Premium Service—Data Sheet," 29 Aug. 2019 The high stakes involved in the issue were apparent Wednesday as the Supreme Court was packed with lawyers, utility officials and representatives of numerous groups watching the arguments. — Jim Saunders, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida justices question wording of utility amendment’s summary," 28 Aug. 2019 Colin Clark, who played for the Houston Dynamo from 2010 to 2012, died of an apparent heart attack Monday night at the age of 35. — Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, "Former Dynamo player Colin Clark dead at 35," 27 Aug. 2019 When Ehlinger was in eighth grade, Ross, then 46, died of an apparent heart attack while competing in the swimming portion of the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. — SI.com, "Sam Ehlinger Was Born to Lead Texas's Return to Prominence," 14 Aug. 2019 The cause was an apparent heart attack, said his booking agent, Steve Frumkin. — Adam Bernstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Jim Cullum, flamekeeper of traditional jazz, dies at 77," 12 Aug. 2019 Chris Birch, a longtime Anchorage Assembly member who shifted to the Legislature in 2016, died suddenly Wednesday of an apparent heart attack, according to several colleagues. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage state senator Chris Birch dead after apparent heart attack," 8 Aug. 2019 The change comes after an apparent malware attack that shutdown the system’s computer and telecommunications networks. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, "Alabama school system forced to move start date again due to malware attack," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apparent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for apparent

apparent

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of apparent

: easy to see or understand

: seeming to be true but possibly not true

See the full definition for apparent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

apparent

adjective

ap·par·ent | \ ə-ˈper-ənt

Kids Definition of apparent

1 : clear to the understanding : evident It was apparent that we could not win.

2 : open to view : visible On a clear night many stars are apparent.

3 : appearing to be real or true The apparent theft of my lunch made me angry.

apparent

Definition of apparent

Other Words from apparent

Synonyms for apparent

Choose the Right Synonym for apparent

Examples of apparent in a Sentence

First Known Use of apparent

History and Etymology for apparent

English Language Learners Definition of apparent

Kids Definition of apparent

apparent

Definition of apparent

Other Words from apparent

Synonyms for apparent

Choose the Right Synonym for apparent

Examples of apparent in a Sentence

First Known Use of apparent

History and Etymology for apparent

English Language Learners Definition of apparent

Kids Definition of apparent

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