Definition of APPRECIABLE

Choose the Right Synonym for appreciable

perceptible, sensible, palpable, tangible, appreciable, ponderable 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 sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind. an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable. the tension in the air was almost palpable tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally. no tangible evidence of UFOs appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable. an appreciable increase in income ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance. exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Did You Know?

Appreciable, like the verb "appreciate," comes from the Late Latin verb appretiare ("to appraise" or "to put a price on"). It is one of several English adjectives that can be applied to something that can be detected, felt, or measured. Specifically, "appreciable" applies to what is highly noticeable or definitely measurable, whereas "perceptible," which is often paired with "barely" or "scarcely," applies to what can be discerned to a minimal extent. "Sensible" refers to something that is clearly perceived; a sensible difference in someone's expression is easily detected. "Palpable" applies to something that, if it doesn't have actual physical substance, is nevertheless quite noticeable via the senses ("a palpable chill in the air"). "Tangible" is used for something capable of being handled or grasped, either physically or mentally ("tangible evidence").

Examples of appreciable in a Sentence

there doesn't seem to be any appreciable difference between this piece and that one

Recent Examples on the Web Changing from kilograms to pounds doesn’t make much of an appreciable distance at these scales, either. — Charlie Wood, Popular Science, "How astronomers weigh the universe (and everything in it)," 26 Dec. 2019 Making the ball as small as possible so that all points on it are closer to the focus doesn’t make an appreciable difference at all since the magnification factor remains the same. — Quanta Magazine, "Solution: ‘Is Infinity Real?’," 30 June 2016 Wildlife officials say the current level of coyote hunting doesn’t reduce the population, nor would hunting have an appreciable impact on coyote populations. — USA TODAY, "Lighthouse in peril, Wizard Rock, cable a la carte: News from around our 50 states," 4 Nov. 2019 Beyond this, only Chevron and Shell have buyback programs of any appreciable size; and of the two, Chevron was able to cover that from operating cash flow. — Liam Denning | Bloomberg, Washington Post, "Big Oil Earnings Provide an Opening for Aramco," 1 Nov. 2019 That’s been shown through the extra millions and millions that got shoveled out on education after Thornton passed in 2002 without any appreciable improvement in outcomes. — Mary Grace Keller, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Considering Kirwan: Carroll politicians fear repeat of Thornton commission; MSEA supports recommendations," 20 Oct. 2019 Some key players have been injured, but the team has not shown any appreciable decline in its level of play. — Jamie Samuelsen, Detroit Free Press, "Three reasons Detroit Lions football can/can't win NFC North," 29 Sep. 2019 Some showers remain possible, but the best odds of any appreciable rain should stay to our south. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Splendid this weekend, and not bad beyond," 7 Sep. 2019 Backup quarterback Tyler Shough got his first appreciable game experience. — oregonlive, "Goe: The Oregon Ducks leave no question while pounding overmatched Nevada," 8 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appreciable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.