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

The power is instantaneous, with no appreciable turbo lag, delivered to the rear wheels through a tight, seven-speed paddle-shift transmission. — Charles Fleming, latimes.com, "Ford GT: American supercar splendor for only $450,000," 16 Mar. 2018 Drilling is the primary way to survey a site, at an appreciable cost. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "Yellowstone's magma chamber is more powerful than we knew. Here's why studying it matters.," 3 July 2018 Previous research by criminologist James Alan Fox suggests that the 1994 ban did not have an appreciable effect on the number of mass shootings. — German Lopez, Vox, "The Santa Fe High School shooting shows why an assault weapons ban can’t solve America’s gun problem," 21 May 2018 Among those findings: Topgolf will generate less traffic than a department store and the residential locations nearest to site will experience no appreciable change in sound levels. — Justin Sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Topgolf moves planned site 200 feet west but neighbors still unhappy," 7 June 2018 If the leader of North Korea confirms his intentions with practical steps such as forgoing further missile and nuclear tests, the other side should make some appreciable steps, too. — Ilya Arkhipov, Bloomberg.com, "Putin Teases That His Troll-Factory Ally Is Just Like Soros," 4 June 2018 Pet waste, Bower said, is an appreciable source of fecal waste in the watershed. — Melanie Feuk, Houston Chronicle, "Fecal waste targeted in West Fork water quality improvement plan," 21 May 2018 And none of it has had an appreciable effect on the president’s (admittedly, low) popularity. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpism Is Having Its Best Week Ever," 10 May 2018 But what if that side effect could be tapped to stoke hair growth on the head, effectively helping the 40% of women and roughly 66% of men who experience appreciable hair loss by the age of 35, according to the American Hair Loss Association? — Erika Stalder, refinery29.com, "Scientists Just Made A Major Breakthrough For Curing Hair Loss," 9 May 2018

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.