Synonyms of practical

practical

adjective

ˈprak-ti-kəl 

1

as in useful

capable of being put to use or account

a practical and simple solution for the town's waste disposal

she has some practical information on sightseeing in San Francisco

Synonyms & Similar Words

• useful
• applicable
• applicative
• applied
• pragmatic
• practicable
• functional
• workable
• actionable
• usable
• serviceable
• working
• utilitarian
• ultrapractical
• available
• mundane
• down-to-earth
• handy
• obtainable
• operating
• accessible
• reachable
• functioning
• operative
• active
• employed
• banausic
• busy
• all-around
• alive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• theoretical
• impractical
• useless
• impracticable
• academic
• unworkable
• abstract
• inapplicable
• unusable
• nonpractical
• inaccessible
• unavailable
• unobtainable
• unattainable
• unsuitable
• unreachable
• armchair

2

as in pragmatic

willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly

a practical caseworker who doesn't spend a lot of time philosophizing while doing social work in the inner city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pragmatic
• realistic
• sensible
• logical
• rational
• down-to-earth
• reasonable
• matter-of-fact
• cynical
• earthy
• hardheaded
• sound
• utilitarian
• grounded
• sober
• commonsensical
• sane
• hard
• skeptical
• bottom-line
• unromantic
• levelheaded
• unsentimental
• no-nonsense
• disillusioned
• pessimistic
• idealless
• suspicious
• tough-minded
• sobersided
• hard-edged
• misanthropic
• philistine
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• hard-boiled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impractical
• idealistic
• unrealistic
• imaginative
• utopian
• visionary
• blue-sky
• fanciful
• romantic
• sentimental
• fantastic
• optimistic
• theoretical
• cheerful
• unreasonable
• irrational
• illogical
• insane
• trusting
• trustful
• unsuspicious
• rose-colored
• half-baked

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of practical

Given Nolan’s famous aversion to AI, there was a relief in knowing this incredible display of creativity came primarily from practical effects and shooting on location. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Later, the Moon sextiles Mercury, helping practical conversations turn big ideas into next steps. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

The simple ballet sneaker boasts a streamlined silhouette, with an all-over leather design, Puma’s iconic logo, and practical elastic straps to ensure the shoe stays securely on your foot—step after step. — Eva Thomas, InStyle, 18 July 2026

April 20 – May 20 The career move that helps most may start with one practical upgrade. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Phrases Containing practical

• practical joke