as in understandable
capable of being understood
speculation on the odds that a communication from a far-off planet would be intelligible
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intelligible
Several shouts were audible during the first part of the ceremony, although what was said wasn't intelligible to an Associated Press reporter in the press room.
—
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, the device may reduce amplification in a quiet room to avoid escalating background hums or else increase amplification in a noisy café to make speech more intelligible.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026
The earliest Shaker songs, including ones attributed to Lee, have no intelligible language.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
His intelligible goals are, first, to create a new mass market and, second, to have Tesla hold a dominant position in that market.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intelligible
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, the device may reduce amplification in a quiet room to avoid escalating background hums or else increase amplification in a noisy café to make speech more intelligible.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026
The earliest Shaker songs, including ones attributed to Lee, have no intelligible language.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
His intelligible goals are, first, to create a new mass market and, second, to have Tesla hold a dominant position in that market.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intelligible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intelligible
Adjective
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Verstappen is frustrated, and that’s understandable behavior for a four-time F1 champ.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Both employ understandable language in their help files, too.—
Kathy Yakal,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Unlike oil, which flows through pipelines and centralized infrastructure, gold production in southern Venezuela is dispersed across hundreds of small sites accessible only by river, dirt tracks or airstrips.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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As the response continued to grow, maintenance technician Mario Velazquez stepped up to build a dedicated room, complete with shelving and clothing racks, that is easily accessible to clients.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dahl’s revulsion at the violence committed in Israel’s name is at once comprehensible, in and of itself, and rooted in Dahl’s set of antisemitic beliefs.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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Davis is wry and quietly defiant of stereotype, her Elaine’s composure hard-won and her sacrifice of certain kinds of sympathy fully comprehensible.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intelligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intelligible. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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