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
  • Add to the Compost Pile Sending banana peels to the compost bin is the easiest—and perhaps most obvious—way to use them.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Targets at safety It’s become obvious that this year’s safety draft class has the chance to produce a good amount of quality starters.
    Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most prominent political rival, Imamoglu stands accused by prosecutors of leading a criminal organization.
    Beril Akman, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Among the most prominent findings from community outreach, which included surveys, walkabouts, pop-up events and a builder’s breakfast, were concerns about traffic speeding, inadequate lighting, lack of street trees and the absence of a cohesive identity for the corridor.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In the early 2000s, scientists first saw these conspicuous cataclysms, which can shine much longer and be more than 10 times brighter than a normal supernova.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The week-long delay in appointing a successor to Khamenei is becoming conspicuous.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Both militaries have scored striking successes.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Boise City Council has finalized changes to its zoning code, striking electric vehicle charging requirements while opening up more options for homes on single-family lots in a suite of changes designed to spur the city’s lagging housing stock.
    Mark Dee March 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The large police presence was noticeable even before the commissioners’ meeting, when 14 city police officers and sheriff’s deputies stood outside.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Fine-line flicks also made a quiet but noticeable debut on runways for Giorgio Armani Prive, Jovana Louis, and Prabal Gurung.
    Loren Savini, Allure, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The talent is evident from the jump, but Sarkisian spoke about more than sprinter’s speed and making contested catches when he was asked about Coleman.
    Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The influence of the titan of modern design, Le Corbusier, is evident in Niemeyer’s Palácio da Alvorada, for example, which was the official presidential residence; in the Congresso Nacional; and in the Catedral Metropolitana de Brasília, the site of presidential inaugurations.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Untouched and undiscovered Tulum is not, but its magnetism is still manifest in its profound natural beauty, immense history, and pristine beaches with some of the whitest sand in the world.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Heyer is gone, transferred to Oregon, but Braun, Battle and Holloway are seeing their goals manifest.
    John Shipley, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Today, digital technologies have enabled us to make these worlds come to life in a more tangible and immersive way than ever before.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
  • For Muller, though, what ultimately makes the property stand out is something less tangible than its square footage or architectural pedigree.
    Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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