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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective palpable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of palpable are appreciable, perceptible, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

In what contexts can appreciable take the place of palpable?

The synonyms appreciable and palpable are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When is it sensible to use perceptible instead of palpable?

While the synonyms perceptible and palpable are close in meaning, 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 can ponderable be used instead of palpable?

In some situations, the words ponderable and palpable are roughly equivalent. However, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When might sensible be a better fit than palpable?

Although the words sensible and palpable have much in common, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

When is tangible a more appropriate choice than palpable?

The words tangible and palpable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

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 palpable In his remarks on Thursday, Hosseini’s frustration over Ono’s ouster was palpable. Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 14 June 2025 The tug-of-war between your ambitions and personal life is palpable, Aries. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 14 June 2025 The anticipation in the room was palpable, and, as soon as the original title card for the film appeared on screen, a loud cheer went up. Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 The Sky’s desperation is palpable for teams across the league. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for palpable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpable
Adjective
  • Anthony Dod Mantle’s lower-grade digital footage in the first film enhanced the tangible sense of fear, and, like The Blair Witch Project before it, gave it the texture of a documentary.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 20 June 2025
  • Rutte’s approach also seems to be yielding tangible results.
    Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pattern is unmistakable: just as Enron triggered SOX, AI governance failures will trigger mandatory expertise requirements.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The symbolism of the decision to target this base—the same one that U.S. President Donald Trump visited only two months ago during his tour of Gulf states, and one located in a country that maintains close ties to and shares an offshore gas field with Iran—is unmistakable.
    Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
  • In quietest, barely audible passages, the air in the hall had an electric sense of calm before the storm.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Similar parents commenting on Diwa's post said the switch made a noticeable difference in their own homes, with several sharing anecdotes of improved moods and calmer transitions to offscreen activities.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Whereas androgenetic alopecia is characterized by the shrinking of hair follicles, which leads to thin, barely noticeable hair, the key indicators of CCCA are inflammation and damage to the follicles.
    Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Other Demographic Differences Women’s second fall persistence rate (79.3%) exceeded that of men (76.3%), continuing a trend that’s been apparent for several years.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Birdsong’s apparent beanball came in the exact time and place that the unwritten rules prescribe: two outs, bases empty, first pitch.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • GlobalData’s monthly report on prospects for the Western Europe auto market pointed to stagnation in 2025 with a barely perceptible 0.5% gain to 11.5 million, after an unchanged 2024.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • On The Solstice Though the solstice itself isn’t easily perceptible, it is often associated with visible changes in the sun’s path.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Fuel costs and physical exhaustion—combined with the general chaos that defined the Grateful Dead’s mid-’70s era—ultimately forced the band to abandon the system after less than a year, retiring it following their October 1974 shows at San Francisco’s Winterland.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • After the loss of her child, the woman was hospitalized due to her declining mental and physical health.
    Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Turchin family’s lifelong passion for art and design was evident across all the rooms.
    Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
  • That reality is evident almost just from the scale.
    Justin Worland, Time, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Palpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpable. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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