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as in useful
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose that flimsy little saw is not a very practicable tool for cutting heavy tree branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective practicable differ from other similar words?

The words feasible and possible are common synonyms of practicable. While all three words mean "capable of being realized," practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions.

a solution that is not practicable in the time available

When is feasible a more appropriate choice than practicable?

The words feasible and practicable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired.

commercially feasible for mass production

In what contexts can possible take the place of practicable?

Although the words possible and practicable have much in common, possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions.

a possible route up the west face of the mountain

Example 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 practicable The technology suddenly seemed practicable. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 Penguin Random House Canada provides the Information in an accessible format or with appropriate Communication Supports, as soon as practicable, upon request. Hazlitt, 4 Jan. 2025 According to new research, the momentary fusion feat required exquisite choreography and extensive preparations, whose high degree of difficulty reveals a long road ahead before anyone dares hope a practicable power source could be at hand. IEEE Spectrum, 6 Feb. 2024 Spanish tax breaks hiked at the beginning of 2023, make the financials practicable. John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for practicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practicable
Adjective
  • At least seven state investigators on the case have been hospitalized for possible exposure to the poison, WISN.com reported.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • This might signal that the two are also getting ready for a possible upcoming change.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in May that Trump is abiding by all applicable conflict-of-interest laws.
    Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • Dealing with rage wouldn’t seem the term most applicable to Estévez, who is as amiable and animated as anyone in the Royals’ clubhouse and radiates a room-energizing presence.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • This is what makes average household income so useful in this analysis of the wealthiest cities in Arkansas.
    Andrew DePietro, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • For instance, a folding utility cart with wheels might be the best option for some, while others may find an electric utility cart more useful.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sierra Designs recently updated their award-winning Mobile Mummy, a practical and comfortable wearable sleeping bag originally released in 2014.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Today’s Canadian nationalism, by contrast, arises from darker and more practical concerns.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Reside within the city limits. Be available to attend monthly meetings and occasional special meetings.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025
  • Attorney information for him was not immediately available.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Transferring the manufacturing models used in emerging economies to the U.S. simply isn't feasible.
    Kristen Waggoner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Measuring fetal testosterone exposure would require continuous monitoring of levels in the amniotic fluid, which isn’t feasible.
    Julia Ries, Health, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • That’s where the distinction between applied and contextual AI becomes critical.
    ByTheodore Krantz Jr, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • At the time, most basic and applied research was done by the military.
    Paul Bierman, The Conversation, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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