Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective perceptible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of perceptible are appreciable, palpable, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

In what contexts can appreciable take the place of perceptible?

The words appreciable and perceptible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When can palpable be used instead of perceptible?

While in some cases nearly identical to perceptible, palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When is ponderable a more appropriate choice than perceptible?

The meanings of ponderable and perceptible largely overlap; however, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Where would sensible be a reasonable alternative to perceptible?

In some situations, the words sensible and perceptible are roughly equivalent. However, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

When might tangible be a better fit than perceptible?

Although the words tangible and perceptible have much in common, tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perceptible On Friday, wind gusts were 12 mph or less, with a nearly two-hour morning stretch of no perceptible winds, according to National Weather Service data. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 The barely perceptible changes in climate, demography, and geology; the gradual formation of religious and cultural practices; and the slow growth of trade networks or agricultural practices -- all of this, Braudel held, is the real stuff of human affairs. Robert Zaretsky, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2011 Spiders are also keen observers of the forest’s breath, barely perceptible air currents eddying through the trees, and place their webs strategically to intercept these drafts — and the insects that use them to boost their transit through the woods. Rick Borchelt, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024 And the songs followed this logic, molting bit by bit, year over year, the changes barely perceptible in the moment, until a full evolution had occurred. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perceptible 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perceptible
Adjective
  • Air raid sirens blared in the background, and the only other audible noise was the terrified whimpers of the person holding the camera.
    Vox Staff, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Pam, meanwhile, left the room to cry, which was fully audible to viewers watching at home.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And perhaps the most noticeable change: BMW eliminated the traditional gauge cluster in the dash in favor of a customizable digital version projected onto the windshield.
    Abigail Bassett, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Erivo has long been synonymous with her nails—but her manicures were especially noticeable while promoting Wicked.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Both movies feature a killer clown, but while Joaquin Phoenix’s grinning menace suffers from delusions of grandeur and an unspecified mental illness, the hideous ghoul from hell in Terrifier known as Art hacks away at his victims with no discernible motivation beyond the grisly acts themselves.
    Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The next six months will tell us whether that proves to be prudent or a discernible weakness that was not addressed at the opportune moment.
    Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • By three to six months, most patients can see appreciable volume gains.
    Jolene Edgar, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
  • For starters, there are a few practical things that ushered this shift: From the 1970s onward, Americans began to think of homes as appreciable investments.
    Zachary Crockett, thehustle.co, 13 Dec. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near perceptible

Cite this Entry

“Perceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perceptible. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perceptible

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