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
  • Venus in your sign opposes the Moon in your partnership zone, increasing attraction while making differences in comfort, affection, or timing more obvious.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps those ratios seem obvious; just about half the money from a little less than half the screens.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • El Sayed met with Schumer and other prominent Democrats in recent weeks, who have all rallied behind the hopeful as the race increasingly looks in the Left’s favor.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Beam alleges Chinese company stole its IP Beam Therapeutics has filed a lawsuit alleging one of its former scientists stole intellectual property and used it to co-found a Chinese company that recently made a deal with prominent VC firms.
    — Elaine Chen, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Among the more obvious problems of both Ready to Wear and catwalk is the conspicuous absence of a story.
    — Charles Gandee, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The result, beyond being a lie, is often cheap, garish, and conspicuous.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The most striking aspect of his work lies in its ability to make these activities converge.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps the most striking styles in the lineup stood on curvaceous, sculptural heels resembling slithering snakes.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Beyond pantry doors and magnetic racks, three more swaps make a noticeable difference in a tight kitchen.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Some of these changes are noticeable without any special technology, says Ibañez, including slower speech, longer pauses, a flatter emotional tone, trouble finding the right word, or vaguer, less specific language.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The scars would have been evident for decades—the backdrop to the events of the 1640s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Pedroza said that his quarterback’s competitiveness and work ethic were evident from the first freshman year practice.
    — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Two years later, as massive success seemed like the Eagles’ manifest destiny, that tandem cut their bandmates out of a publishing deal, setting themselves up with a never-ending sinecure but setting their original quartet up to crumble.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The books’ capacious geography felt like a girlish form of manifest destiny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But a person like Hudson, who’s heavily backed in the fashion game, the impact was tangible immediately.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026
  • McMahon also urged schools to introduce hands-on learning much earlier, including virtual welding and electronics programs that can make technical work feel tangible and attractive to younger students.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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