ponderable

Definition of ponderablenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ponderable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ponderable are appreciable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When could appreciable be used to replace ponderable?

In some situations, the words appreciable and ponderable are roughly equivalent. However, appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

Where would palpable be a reasonable alternative to ponderable?

The meanings of palpable and ponderable largely overlap; however, palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When can perceptible be used instead of ponderable?

The synonyms perceptible and ponderable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is sensible a more appropriate choice than ponderable?

While the synonyms sensible and ponderable are close in meaning, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

When might tangible be a better fit than ponderable?

The words tangible and ponderable 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponderable
Adjective
  • But what feels most haunting about the arc of then to now, about Smith’s unfathomable issues and woes — yet obvious heart and particularly evident quest to find himself in recent years — is that his words then were spoken with a sense of arrival and past tense.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
  • Look in the most obvious places first.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • The durability of this group will play a prominent role in the defense’s overall success.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Having faced considerable losses already and staring down more to come, many of the prominent combatants spend Season 3 in an existential crisis, which lends the series a similar atmosphere.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • The instruments are on conspicuous display in the respective sitting rooms, each placed atop a shrine of its own, often with an incense stick burning under it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
  • Mexican fans still dominated the supporter numbers — conspicuous in the shirt of the national side — with a healthy number of South Koreans, but there were very few Czech fans.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The most striking endorsement came from a famously tech-shy investor.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Golden interiors and a striking red dragon greet you at Myers + Chang, a swanky restaurant in South End with a fair amount of funk from Joanne Chang and her partner Christopher Myers, both of Flour bakery, and executive chef Ashley Lujares.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • The first slowdowns and real noticeable uptick in traffic came on I-95 south.
    Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 16 June 2026
  • Warm weather can make the surge even more noticeable.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • On the field, the players’ lack of experience was evident.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
  • The improvements are evident in its elegant proportions and concealed features, such as the integrated cleats and automatic fenders.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • In a sport where just one player can change lives and where a market like theirs should offer a manifest destiny, the team delivered, mostly, pain.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2026
  • That contrast was also manifest in the relative outcomes; the White House only belatedly announced deals for the sale of 200 Boeing jets and at least $17 billion of American agricultural products annually to China through 2028.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • And they were given little information about the tangible, systems-level improvements in people’s lives that Blue Zones Project has produced in communities where it’s been put into practice.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026
  • Of the many cruel aspects of slavery, the shackles used to restrain and dehumanize more than12 million Africans across three centuries may be the most visceral tangible reminder.
    Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster