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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 Perry inherits a team that must find a sensible and sustainable way forward following a tumultuous season that resulted in major upheaval following a rare period of stability. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2025 And was always wearing a pair of sensible sneakers. Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2025 Spectators got wind of the sensible footwear concealed by the Fiesta finery and began demanding to see the shoes. Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025 The only sensible pathway to being an AI Continent would be to promise that AI innovation is the highest priority. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sensible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensible
Adjective
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Multi: Multi-ground (MG) cleats are designed to achieve reasonable levels of traction, grip and control on as many types of ground as possible.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Read has pleaded not guilty, denied killing O'Keefe and alleged she is being framed, attempting to sow reasonable doubt in prosecutors' claims and asserting that someone else killed O'Keefe and had ties to and influence over the investigation.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Health professionals were aware of it, but no one from the public opinion, no one.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Francis was said to be alert and aware throughout the health episodes and occasionally posted messages on X, acknowledging the good wishes sent his way.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This innovative technology, developed by teams at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, combines brain-computer interfaces (BCI) with advanced artificial intelligence to decode neural activity into audible speech.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The economic idea that people are purely rational, self-serving beings has been undermined by broad research over decades into psychology and behavioral economics.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Listening to constituents, stakeholders, and community input to make our voices heard at the Council while balancing competing interests of other council members to bring rational discussion and mutual understanding to move ALL of Fort Worth Forward.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The victim, a man in his 20s, was alert and conscious and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Boisvert said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
  • First responders arrived at the scene around 10:03 a.m. to find Joseph conscious and alert, the sheriff's office said.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And here everything does ripen, an eventuality that this movie charts with wry humor, appreciable regional sensitivity and many wheels of artisanal cheese.
    The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The camera is appreciable and clicks sharp photos with popping colors and impressive low-light shots.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His pledge to shift the agency’s posture toward coherent, forward-looking policy marks a significant departure from the SEC’s previous approach.
    Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • After a certain amount of playtime, what’s on-screen stops looking like a coherent world and starts looking like inputs and outputs, challenges and rewards.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sensible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensible. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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