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
  • As this is not always possible, there can be competition among rainmakers trying to discredit each other, said 30-year-old Kilindon Simiyu, another of the village's rainmakers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The sessions are made possible through a partnership between Alpert JFS, the city of Lake Worth Beach, Drug Abuse Foundation, and the Recovery Community HUB of Riviera Beach.
    Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The system allows the city to retain a record of the application, which will be available when the applicant visits a NET office or the Zoning Office to complete the process and pay the fees required for the applicable business license.
    Maykel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Election officials determined my eligibility, prepared and sent the correct ballot and accepted it under applicable law.
    Lee Moak, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The results do not establish that the reactor produces commercially useful fusion energy.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The useful question is whether your choices reflect what matters to you today or an older definition of success.
    Angela C. Hill, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The true change is that building technology shaped around your actual business has become achievable for companies that could never have dreamed of it before.
    Angelica Kopec, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Only 21% of young people today think the American Dream is achievable for them, down from over 50% just a decade ago.
    Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Optical fiber, however, provides a practical path for moving information across long distances.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Two years later, in June 1865, Lizzie’s father Andrew — a wealthy but practical Fall River businessman — remarried Abby Durfee Gray.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are also available, such as herbal medicine consultations and a pain management program.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout much of the 20th century, Washington often quietly intervened to shape the political choices available to Brazilian governments, most notably in its support for the 1964 coup.
    Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • An Amtrak spokesperson said a livestream is not feasible, but that a recording of the meeting will be posted to the project website.
    Lauren Victory, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This might be fine for a night or two to diagnose a sleep disorder, but gathering enough data on enough people to sift out long-term statistical correlations just isn’t feasible.
    Mike McRae September 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • By combining aluminum’s low weight with a pre-applied coating, the company is targeting a way to make battery components easier to manufacture while meeting durability and insulation requirements.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • What’s happening now could be a repeat of that, said Katie Bernstein, an applied linguist and professor of early childhood education at Arizona State University.
    Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/practicable. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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