Definition of practicablenext
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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 More information will follow when practicable. Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026 This makes county fairs almost like quasi-governmental organizations, said Ahlers of the Anoka County Fair, even though some of the privileges aren’t exactly practicable. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025 To that end, Democratic congressional leadership has implored their counterparts to start talks as soon as practicable, considering any piece of legislation will require 60 votes in the Senate. Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for practicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practicable
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell told the state television program on Friday the accused faced a host of possible charges including crimes associated with terrorist acts.
    Reuters 9 hr ago, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In 2024, that process affirmed that DPOB is responsibly governed, financially sound and compliant with all applicable requirements.
    Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
  • In addition, Alleviate Tax offers professional tax representation, including communicating with the IRS on your behalf, identifying applicable deductions and representing you during audits or other proceedings.
    Dan Simms, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • January 20 – February 18 New ideas connect friends in surprisingly useful ways.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The number is most useful as an upper-end benchmark; individual budgets will vary.
    Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • High-mach drone test A new experimental aircraft is pushing the boundaries of high-speed aviation as developers pursue speeds once thought achievable only by a handful of Cold War–era platforms.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
  • StubHub’s guidance for 2026 EBITDA is about 60% below what Anmuth projected for the company in October and may finally be achievable, according to a March 5 analyst note.
    Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Your practical patience turns big ideas into structured, doable steps.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
  • If achieved, that would move the physics from cryogenic laboratories toward practical technologies.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • These advancements are key steps toward making huge equipment lighter and more efficient for feasible space deployment.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Developers said retail was not economically feasible.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The system responded within milliseconds, fast enough to support real-time reactions such as pulling away from harmful contact or reducing applied force during interaction.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Finite Element Analysis software is then used to calculate the torsional stiffness of different variants with or without a roof, which allows the engineers to see what parts of the structure are working hardest to resist applied torsion and are in need or reinforcement.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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