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 The inmate can choose to decline the offer and be released as soon as possible or practicable. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 Others wonder whether a revival of the uptown flagship is practicable. — David Moin, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 Those decisions should be made with a commitment to replenishing reserves as soon as practicable. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 Under the settlement agreement, CSU must provide notice to employees as soon as reasonably practicable before complying with any subpoena for employees’ personal information unless notice would be prohibited by law or regulation, according to a statement from the California Faculty Association. — Edsource, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for practicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for practicable
Adjective
  • There was palpable excitement, especially after Barringer noted that national Democrats had put the seat on a list of ones to watch for a possible upset.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The embassy said in a statement Monday that partial curfews had been introduced in several French cities, with additional restrictions possible.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Alaska Public Media's Liz Ruskin spoke with election law experts, who found no applicable laws but noted that the conduct described crosses moral and ethical lines.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, state officials are reviewing ETS's compliance with applicable data security requirements and its contractual obligations.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Evidence remains mixed, and dreams could also be an experiential by-product of useful sleeping-brain activity, rather than an adaptation with its own job description.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • However, many of them still have enough capacity to remain useful for several more years.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • While this model proved that routine, low-cost space access was achievable, various technical and business challenges allowed the marketplace to become dominated by a single vendor.
    — Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
  • While traditionally only achievable in real life through plastic surgery or extreme makeup, it can be applied instantly online using beauty filters.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, practical designs commonly target temperatures around 100–150 million degrees Celsius (180–270 million °F).
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • In practical terms, control of the House would give Democrats the power to conduct investigations and hold public hearings.
    — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The House Republican Organization, the GOP caucus’ main campaign arm, had only about $239,400 available through the same period.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • For families Some room types offer additional space with pull-out sofas or room for a pack and play (available upon request).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Venus remains in a supportive sextile to Jupiter all month, which lends you tangible and immaterial support to make your dreams feasible.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There was even discussion of moving the Hawks game to another month, but given the density of the NBA schedule, too many other teams' schedules would also need to shift for this to be feasible, according to people familiar with the matter.
    — Alex Sherman, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Honorable rebels take a stand, work, and sacrifice, even against self-interest to bravely bring about something other than the chaos that naturally exists without applied effort to create something good.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • These measurements are then used by the motion-control system to adjust the arm’s position and applied forces.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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