practicable

adjective

prac·​ti·​ca·​ble ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce practicable (audio)
1
: capable of being put into practice or of being done or accomplished : feasible
a practicable plan
2
: capable of being used : usable
a practicable weapon
practicability noun
practicableness noun
practicably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for practicable

possible, practicable, feasible mean capable of being realized.

possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions.

a possible route up the west face of the mountain

practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions.

a solution that is not practicable in the time available

feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired.

commercially feasible for mass production

Examples of practicable in a Sentence

The idea is interesting but not practicable, I'm afraid. a solution that is not practicable in the time available to us
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The ultimate point here is not that all competition concerns about Google are necessarily groundless but that restrained enforcement of antitrust law, and Google’s concern about its reputation, are already driving the company to address legitimate concerns with practicable solutions. Berin Szoka, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2012 In Dutch - State/Federal Clinicians must adjudicate claims and remit patient credit balances as soon as practicable. Jeff Gorke, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 To become a globally practicable system, the flexibility of the startup’s model doesn’t fix all nations into the same scoring method; different countries can emphasize attributes relevant to their region. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2024 This includes checking the citizenship status of federal-only voters against an immigration status verification service provided by the Department of Homeland Security when practicable. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for practicable 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of practicable was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near practicable

Cite this Entry

“Practicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practicable. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

practicable

adjective
prac·​ti·​ca·​ble ˈprak-ti-kə-bəl How to pronounce practicable (audio)
1
: capable of being done, put into practice, or accomplished : feasible
a practicable plan
2
: usable
a practicable weapon
practicability noun

More from Merriam-Webster on practicable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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