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
  • Aside from obvious fixes like leaking ceilings and sagging floors, the layout, which was chopped up into a warren of tight quarters, needed a full gut to allow the space to breathe and gain more light.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The best way to alleviate the pressure, therefore, is not to wait on a return but to avoid stringing together so many obvious passing downs that allow the edge rushers to tee off.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • On election night in 2025, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani began his victory speech by quoting Eugene Debs, one of the most prominent socialists in 20th-century American politics.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Owners Atlanta Dream The scheduling dispute also drew attention beyond the league, with prominent figures weighing in on the unusual Thursday afternoon tipoff.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Because of Buford’s fame as a 2025 champion and several top-10 national rankings, that is the most conspicuous underseeding.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The world’s highest-profile tech billionaires offer the most conspicuous examples.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • During the company’s third-quarter earnings call in October, Musk made a striking comment while musing about how the company aimed to deploy 10 GW of compute (on Earth) in 2027.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Elke Sommer, the striking German beauty who starred in such films as A Shot in the Dark, The Prize, The Art of Love and Deadlier Than the Male during her 1960s heyday in Hollywood, has died.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the past year, DoorDash’s expansion into the apparel and fashion world has been noticeable considering how much apparel has lagged in on-demand delivery compared to categories like groceries and household items.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • These cuts weren’t supposed to be noticeable to voters just yet.
    — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The relationship between fashion and place is also evident in the experiences luxury houses bring to Houston.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That much was evident by the scoring, so low that the 36-hole cut came at 5-under 137.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Co-existence with extraterrestrials has seen humans revert to old habits of prejudice and apartheid; crime and corruption are rampant as ever; pop-up ads now irksomely manifest as holograms in your personal space.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The necessity of maintaining fuel efficiency standards is manifest in California, where about 40% of those emissions come from auto and truck tailpipes.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The Jets also need to show tangible progress before the season ends.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The textbook was one of many artifacts that revealed just how much research went into Christie’s work — and tangible proof that the author had a deep understanding of medications and deadly chemical concoctions, Rowland said.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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