ponderable

Definition of ponderablenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ponderable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ponderable are appreciable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When could appreciable be used to replace ponderable?

In some situations, the words appreciable and ponderable are roughly equivalent. However, appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

Where would palpable be a reasonable alternative to ponderable?

The meanings of palpable and ponderable largely overlap; however, palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

When can perceptible be used instead of ponderable?

The synonyms perceptible and ponderable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 is sensible a more appropriate choice than ponderable?

While the synonyms sensible and ponderable are close in meaning, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

When might tangible be a better fit than ponderable?

The words tangible and ponderable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponderable
Adjective
  • Don’t force a quick fix, but don’t ignore what’s obvious.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise the only evidence that Trump might not be crazy is his obvious determination to seem so.
    Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Most importantly, playing prominent roles alongside a respected veteran and thoughtful mentor in Zibanejad really seemed to propel the young wingers, who finished the season by combining for 43 points (24 for Lafrenière and 19 for Perreault) in the final 23 games.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Collagen loss accelerates, cell turnover slows, and deep wrinkles become more prominent.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • On one wall, there was conspicuous patch of white paint where a Warhol dollar sign had been removed by its new owner.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
  • A little less conspicuous than your Marriotts and your Hyatts, this rewards program partners with over 650 independent hotels around the world, offering members more elevated and flexible stays via perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
    Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In perhaps the most striking example of learning during sleep, Konkoly, Paller, and several collaborators witnessed what amounted to conversations with people who were in the midst of dreams.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • All the crazy mechanics, including the mini W16-cylinder engine with moving pistons, are on full display, making the latest iteration the most striking yet.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Moon moves through your 10th House of Visibility, where your structure is more noticeable.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The combination of skilled care, more affordable pricing, and the appeal of travelling for treatment has shaped a noticeable trend.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That became more evident in September, when Harry visited Charles amid the king's cancer diagnosis.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • As the town is engulfed by the haunt, there’s a recognition evident in Rhys’ reactions, as if the horrors Tom’s facing are simultaneously too ludicrous to accept and too familiar to reject.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sometimes a person opens the top of their skull to reach inside; in her painting Threading the Story Through the Eye of a Needle (circa 1974), a hand pulls a line of thread through a pupil, towing two tiny people in a boat, suggesting both sight and an idea made manifest.
    Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The truth of those words is manifest in the myriad structures from the Mughal era (1526–1857) that have survived for centuries after the fall of the empire, which at its height stretched across nearly the entire Indian subcontinent.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Performance turnarounds of this nature take time, and there are no tangible shortcuts that can speed up the process.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Cale Makar, who racked up more points than all but two NHL defensemen during the year, scored a tiebreaking goal in Game 3, his first tangible offensive contribution.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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