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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sensible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sensible are appreciable, palpable, perceptible, ponderable, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

In what contexts can appreciable take the place of sensible?

The words appreciable and sensible can be used in similar contexts, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When is palpable a more appropriate choice than sensible?

While in some cases nearly identical to sensible, palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When might perceptible be a better fit than sensible?

The meanings of perceptible and sensible largely overlap; however, perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

When could ponderable be used to replace sensible?

Although the words ponderable and sensible have much in common, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Where would tangible be a reasonable alternative to sensible?

The synonyms tangible and sensible are sometimes interchangeable, but tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

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 sensible Billy was the sensible one, probably. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid — A sensible hybrid mid-sizer with bold styling and good tech; slightly less punchy than some rivals but very efficient and well-equipped. Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Another aspect that isn’t terribly sensible is the convertible top, which entails a bit of a ritual to erect, along with side curtains that more or less enclose occupants when inclement weather prevails. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2025 Those are sensible takes, not only for preserving the Fed’s credibility but also protecting the personal lives of everyone working there. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensible
Adjective
  • After a noticeable drop in school attendance due to SEPTA cuts in the first week of the new school year, the city directed a portion of its $135 million transit subsidy to restore bus and trolley service on routes that are heavily used by students.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The ears of a young ram are more noticeable than those of an old ram, whose ears are largely concealed by the massive horns.
    Tim Kelly, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Searching for a logical progression from The Office and like-minded comedies, so far The Paper has come up with a strange, often funny hybrid, with characters experiencing Parks and Rec idealism and Office-style fluorescent-light tedium simultaneously and sometimes incoherently.
    Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Without a body to put to rest, even when there is no other logical conclusion than death, people can imagine and cling to the most improbable of alternatives.
    Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bondi could argue that her actions set a reasonable expectation that public officials should conduct themselves with respect towards other branches of government.
    Andrew Binns, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Lawyers for the plaintiffs said their restraining order only prevented federal agents from making stops without reasonable suspicion, in line with the Constitution and Court precedent.
    Dan Gooding Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • European policymakers were fully aware of the reorganization and job losses at Volkswagen, Luman said, amid broader concerns that falling employment in Germany’s historic car industry could put even more positions at risk.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • More importantly, people became aware of the ecological value and beauty of raptors and turned against killing them.
    Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 300-second exposure shows the wandering solar system body as a minute dot, barely distinguishable among the stellar giants populating the distant starfield beyond.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • His distinguishable look, punctuated by a large black beard, became iconic.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • So there is no logic or any rational decisions made.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The appellate court had held that the INS could not rely on these immigration sweeps but, rather, needed to articulate objective facts and rational inferences to support a reasonable suspicion that each person detained is undocumented.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This look is perfect for landing in a style-conscious city like Paris or Chicago and hitting the ground running without needing a quick change in the airport bathroom.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As Americans grow increasingly more health-conscious, many are looking for substitutes for certain foods and additives that researchers have deemed less-than-stellar for your longterm health.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Though oxygen is the by-product of making plant matter from CO2 through photosynthesis, to build oxygen up to appreciable levels, vast seas of this organic carbon have to be buried in the crust as fossil fuels.
    Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
  • There isn’t an appreciable difference between the two.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensible. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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