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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 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 According to new research, the momentary fusion feat required exquisite choreography and extensive preparations, whose high degree of difficulty reveals a long road ahead before anyone dares hope a practicable power source could be at hand. IEEE Spectrum, 6 Feb. 2024 Spanish tax breaks hiked at the beginning of 2023, make the financials practicable. John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for practicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practicable
Adjective
  • Neighbors reported hearing a possible disturbance overnight.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Dunst told Town & Country, referring to a possible second film in the franchise and any flick that helps fill her bank account.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Readers should comply with applicable laws and consult health professionals for medical advice.
    Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To him, these forgeries were useful in convincing skeptics of fractal geometry’s usefulness.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Lead with a useful tip or a light-hearted take, then weave in your message.
    John Hall, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Living the Average Ordinary Way As a lifestyle, Average Ordinary encourages practical steps to embrace imperfection and find joy in the every day: • Savor Small Moments: Take five minutes daily to notice something ordinary—a warm meal, a familiar song, a quiet evening.
    Michele Zanello, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Given that the 68-year-old Rowland had completed his sentences, the practical impact of the pardon for him was limited.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There are publicly available databases – such as the online detainee locator – where anyone can search for people held in ICE facilities, Rose said.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Publicly available information from company websites supplemented the research.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Theoretically, a landing in 2028 remains feasible, but a more rational over/under date for NASA is probably somewhere in the vicinity of 2030.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Advances in battery chemistry and efficiency now make long road trips feasible in electric cars.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With developers and non-developers alike embracing AI agents to automate, iterate, and build entire applications, this space is becoming one of the hottest frontiers in applied artificial intelligence.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • In the life sciences segment, Blair said that while clinical and applied markets demand was good globally, it was offset by weak demand in academic and government end markets — a continuation of the dynamics seen in recent quarters.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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