1
2
3
as in useful
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose that flimsy little saw is not a very practicable tool for cutting heavy tree branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective practicable differ from other similar words?

The words feasible and possible are common synonyms of practicable. While all three words mean "capable of being realized," practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions.

a solution that is not practicable in the time available

When is feasible a more appropriate choice than practicable?

The words feasible and practicable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired.

commercially feasible for mass production

In what contexts can possible take the place of practicable?

Although the words possible and practicable have much in common, possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions.

a possible route up the west face of the mountain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of practicable To do this, the United States must maintain the capability to destroy as many of the attacker’s nuclear weapons as practicable before or after they are launched, a principle known as counterforce targeting. Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 This might include a review of cybersecurity policies, checks on overall cryptographic health and conversations about practicable roadmaps for deploying quantum-safe algorithms. Jordan Rackie, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The technology suddenly seemed practicable. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 Penguin Random House Canada provides the Information in an accessible format or with appropriate Communication Supports, as soon as practicable, upon request. Hazlitt, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for practicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practicable
Adjective
  • Besides religion, what are other possible reasons a person might have executed a forgery?
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • As Myles Lewis-Skelly dribbled up the left wing, the Brazilian made sure to come as central as possible before calling for a cross.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The offer is applicable for a vehicle lease or purchase, according to Ann Marie Fortunate, a spokeswoman for Stellantis.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
  • These roles have given me strong skills in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration — qualities that are directly applicable to serving on the school board.
    Pioneer Press elections team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Energy harvesters—devices that capture energy from the environment—can make electronics and industrial operations more efficient by converting waste heat into useful electricity.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Considering the loss to the Rangers was a one-goal game until five minutes remained and this loss to the Bruins was also close on the scoreboard, a useful power play could have flipped the script on either game.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Dozens of companies are now competing to make the world’s first viable humanoid robot, convinced that recent advances in AI have made what was once a pipe dream into achievable reality.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Their results showed that with little technical improvement, a 99 percent faithfulness rate is achievable.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This orbital propellant transfer capability, which SpaceX plans to demonstrate next year, will allow ships to launch with minimal fuel mass and top up in Earth orbit, making long-distance missions far more practical.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The collection debuts in time with the release of the iPhone 17, creating new ways to protect screens and embrace playful, stylish accessories that are practical and resilient.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Several people at the meeting expressed the desire for more communication around resources that are available to small-business owners.
    Mars King, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The remedy provided in this subsection shall not preclude any remedy available under State or Federal law.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The materials used, PPy, PSS, and simple solvents, are inexpensive, and fabrication requires only basic voltage control and laser patterning, making large-scale production feasible.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Flexibility where feasible, paid time off for symptom flare days, and practical measures like temperature control and quiet rest areas reduce the friction that turns symptoms into lost days.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 Nobel Prize for physics recognizes original investigations in the intersection of basic and applied sciences.
    Zhixin Wang, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Moving beyond the theory of the market, those skilled in applied finance understand how to make practical decisions in financial spaces.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on practicable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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