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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sensible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sensible are appreciable, palpable, perceptible, ponderable, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

In what contexts can appreciable take the place of sensible?

The words appreciable and sensible can be used in similar contexts, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When is palpable a more appropriate choice than sensible?

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

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When might perceptible be a better fit than sensible?

The meanings of perceptible and sensible largely overlap; however, 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 could ponderable be used to replace sensible?

Although the words ponderable and sensible have much in common, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Where would tangible be a reasonable alternative to sensible?

The synonyms tangible and sensible are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 sensible This is sensible; why spend time planning to manage a service that may never find traction? Chris Stegh, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 Resolving a stalemate is the sensible thing to do as Mercury enters Capricorn. USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 But if Purdy comes in with a reasonable ask, perhaps the Niners — having learned the lessons of last offseason — might be sensible in return. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025 Upshot: There may be a tide of students seeking to locate sensible, affordable housing. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sensible 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensible
Adjective
  • Adding commuters to our less-congested waterways is a logical step.
    Terri Carta, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov does nothing visibly wrong, and is therefore asked to leave the plane for no logical reason.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Emirates does a good job of planning schedules so many itineraries have reasonable connection times in Dubai.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Is this season going to be defined by Houston being comfortable going above reasonable expectations, or is the parity in the NBA the perfect storm for a blockbuster trade?
    Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Motivated people who are aware of their choice come to us.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But slang can also be used to demean, bully, or belittle others, so parents should be aware of trendy lingo their kids are using in their day-to-day life.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025
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
  • For purely political purposes, these movie lists oppose rational and aesthetic responses.
    Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The rational for locating in Belgium are to support Europe university teams as well as incubate talent and resources for progressing physical AI in Europe.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As an immigrant teen trying to assimilate when his family moved to New York, Stan badly wanted to fit in, but was deeply conscious of his ‘otherness’.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025
  • His office said Netanyahu, 75, was in good condition and fully conscious after the conclusion of his prostate surgery.
    Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 5 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
Adjective
  • Those are some of the tools traditionally used by contending teams to shore up holes during long runs of success or to fabricate a coherent roster around multiple max-contract stars.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The alleged gunman’s digital footprint failed to unveil a coherent right-wing or left-wing ideology.
    Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sensible

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sensible

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