Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective appreciable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appreciable are palpable, perceptible, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," 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 appreciable?

In some situations, the words palpable and appreciable are roughly equivalent. 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 could perceptible be used to replace appreciable?

While the synonyms perceptible and appreciable are close in meaning, perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

Where would ponderable be a reasonable alternative to appreciable?

The words ponderable and appreciable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When can sensible be used instead of appreciable?

The synonyms sensible and appreciable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 appreciable?

Although the words tangible and appreciable have much in common, 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 appreciable While Leicester’s unwise approach aided Newcastle, there was also appreciable improvement in every aspect of the home side’s play. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 Authoritarian leaders ignore judges and courts with impunity, and adding courts to democracies has no appreciable effect on their protection of civic freedoms or minority rights. Ian Shapiro, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2014 The system boasts an overall accident rate of 1 to 1.35 preventable accidents with either personal injury or appreciable property damage per million miles traveled, which Hardesty said is an exceptional record by any standard. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024 That would represent a big change in cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Trenton, New Jersey, where records were broken for a number of days without appreciable rain before showers reached the region Sunday. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for appreciable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appreciable
Adjective
  • Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, ad commitments to streaming video hubs rose a noticeable 35.3%, hiking to $11.1 billion from $8.2 billion in the previous market.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The early setback led to Sabalenka receiving a swift code violation as she was reprimanded for an audible obscenity.
    Staff and news service reports, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of my clients are noticing that their libidos have taken a nosedive without any discernible reason at first glance.
    Myisha Battle, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
  • They were sold a vision of progress, of silverware and elite facilities; while the final point is yet to be fulfilled, there is discernible evidence of the first two.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s consolidation of power in his second term has been driven by a perceptible change of pace.
    Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Because far-off stars would be static over successive nights, nearer, moving objects would stand out against the backdrop — but, for an object as distant as Pluto, the motion would be barely perceptible.
    John Loeffler, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appreciable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appreciable. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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