ponderable

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
  • Upon seeing a photo of him, she was struck by their obvious physical resemblance.
    Carita Rizzo, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • This told us how well heat was distributed across the cooking surface, where the pan would heat up fastest, and whether there were any obvious hot spots.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • As one of silvaner’s most prominent and historic producers, Wirsching has spent much of her career introducing silvaner to the world.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • The gym makes its most prominent return in the universe's seventh installment, the beginning of the Creed franchise.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The most conspicuous change that will occur if the budget is approved is that both the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) will end with the Artemis III mission scheduled to fly in, perhaps, 2027.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 May 2025
  • Anatomical features lost to time Today, ants are one of the most conspicuous and abundant groups of insects on the planet, found on all continents except Antarctica, the study noted.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Full sun Soil Type: Well-draining sandy loam Soil pH: Slightly to moderately acidic USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12 While dichondra silver falls is a desert plant in its native environment, it's grown as a striking annual across the South.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
  • Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest are all within striking distance, and max points here would go a long way in helping Aston Villa's chances.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • While Steve Austin's presence at WWE WrestleMania 41 was a highlight for many fans, his entrance wasn't without a minor, yet noticeable, hiccup.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • While all of the men had shaved heads and were wearing cloaks with a mysterious symbol on the back, the group's most noticeable trait was that each and every member had Glasgow smile-type scars carved into their faces.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Acidity dominants, as with many 2024 Bordeaux wines, but complexity is evident in this light juice with fine flavors of young red fruit.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Toxic takeover completed a few months before, the Glazer brothers — Joel, Avie and Bryan — were attending their first match at Old Trafford as owners of Manchester United and a new way of thinking was evident.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The reasons for the far right’s rise are manifest in his hometown of Niedertreba.
    Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Dec. 2024
  • The truth of that is likewise manifest in the tribunal itself, a supposedly impartial institution that never attempts to bring U.S. leaders to trial for acts the whole world witnesses.
    Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Under her direction, Shoma Group has consistently turned bold ideas into tangible results, including the recent sale of Shoma Village in Hialeah for nearly $100 million.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • By 2024, a sobering reality had set in: Many organizations struggled to translate AI's potential into tangible results.
    Todd James, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
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 21 May. 2025.

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