ponderable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ponderable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ponderable are appreciable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When could appreciable be used to replace ponderable?

In some situations, the words appreciable and ponderable are roughly equivalent. However, appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

Where would palpable be a reasonable alternative to ponderable?

The meanings of palpable and ponderable largely overlap; however, palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When can perceptible be used instead of ponderable?

The synonyms perceptible and ponderable are sometimes interchangeable, but perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

When is sensible a more appropriate choice than ponderable?

While the synonyms sensible and ponderable are close in meaning, 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 ponderable?

The words tangible and ponderable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponderable
Adjective
  • Trent Frederic is going to be a very popular guy if the Bruins decide to sell, but old friend Nico Sturm would be an obvious target if the answer above is yes. 23.
    Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Doohan faces Colapinto questions There were two obvious topics facing Alpine drivers Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly.
    Luke Smith, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Biden also commuted the sentences of most of the inmates on federal death row, and pardoned prominent figures including the late civil rights leader Marcus Garvey.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Once in Boston, he is paired with Detective Lena Peters, the eldest daughter of a prominent law enforcement family.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Costs have been driven in part by levies to prevent and insure against wildfires, but the analysts anticipate a less conspicuous source of pressure on power bills going forward: growing electricity demand from data centers.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • If Hochul does fire Adams, Cuomo — who’s kept a careful distance from Adams and a conspicuous silence about his problems — would almost surely enter the mayor’s race as its frontrunner instead of running against Hochul next year to win back his old job.
    Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, earlier this month, a striking residence refurbished by architect Robert Stone was hoisted onto the market for $7.5 million.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Soon after the striking Oval Office meeting, a host of European leaders took to social media to express their support for Ukraine.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The flare cut is also wide enough to be noticeable, but slim enough to wear without feeling too voluminous.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The lighter weight is definitely noticeable, which coupled with the rounded corners make the phone much more comfortable to hold.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, sensuality is its muse, which is evident in the aphrodisiac-esque notes.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The foreign policy shift was evident, as European leaders visited Trump this week at the White House to talk about reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, the island was still an agrarian place, where farmers tended rice paddies and raised water buffalos, but the possibility of war was manifest in the landscape.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Another standout aspect of Vertex is its advanced prompt engineering capabilities, which are now manifest in the company’s other toolsets, for example Agentspace.
    Jason Andersen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The problem is that the DOGE outlook also fails to account for all the ways in which an overreliance on the private sector has already weakened American life in very tangible ways.
    Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
  • United fans have been given little reason to cheer this season, and there are few tangible things to be hopeful about in the short or medium term.
    Carl Anka, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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