✅  Evident and obvious both describe things that are easy to see or understand.

✅  Obvious is the best word to use when something is completely clear and unquestionable (The answer was obvious), but suggesting that something is obvious can sound arrogant (How can you not see that? It’s obvious!).

✅  Evident is best when something becomes obvious because of certain facts or circumstances. Slightly more formal than obvious, evident is used when there is clear evidence (From the video footage, their innocence was evident).

⚠️  Be careful when you hear someone using evident or obvious, especially if they don’t present any reasoning to support their statements. Assertions like it’s obvious, when it really is not, can be used to confuse or manipulate.

We hope the differences are evident now! Have a look at some other synonyms for obvious!

✅  Firm is often used to describe substances that have become less soft (Add just enough water to make a firm dough; Pectin allows jellies to set and become firm).

✅  Solid describes substances that can hold their shape without any external force, as well as substances that resist force. It’s a lot easier to slice a firm jelly than it is to slice a solid block of ice.

✅  Solid can also mean that something is not hollow (The table is solid wood) or doesn’t have any particular flaws or weaknesses (Her performance is always solid; His argument was solid).

✅  Firm can be used to describe people, especially their tone and decision-making (Her voice was firm; They remained firm in their decision). In this context, firm carries the material meaning of solid: it suggests that the person can’t be moved, and they can resist the force of you trying to convince them to change their mind.

Make sure your understanding is solid by looking at these synonyms for firm!

✅  An act and a deed are both the result of an action (which can also be used as a synonym). If you’ve done something nice for someone, you could say you’ve done a good deed or a random act of kindness.

✅  An act can be positive or negative, big or small. A deed, however, is usually noteworthy, either because it was particularly good, brave, or even bad, and it often has an air of formality (She was known for her great deeds of bravery; dastardly deeds).

✅  Act can be used in a wider variety of circumstances, whether formal (We hereby recognize these acts of heroism) or informal (It was a thoughtless act—I’m sorry).

✅  It’s better to use deed instead of act when you’re trying to imply that what someone did was significant. Be careful, though, because sometimes it can sound overly dramatic.

Do yourself a good deed and discover some more of its synonyms!