Definition of appreciablenext

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 The stellar core collapses, unleashing a truly staggering amount of energy that causes the star to explode; in an instant, several octillion tons of matter are flung outward at an appreciable fraction of the speed of light. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026 Book sales have experienced slow, stable growth in the last decade, with audiobooks the engine to drive any appreciable growth. Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 In other words, there won’t be an appreciable difference. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026 Anyone who’s survived to 2026 knows the upper class’ fictitious fantasies still carry real, wretched consequences for the rest of us, but Season 4 plays out those ongoing scenarios to the nth degree, while condensing them into an appreciable narrative arc. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appreciable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appreciable
Adjective
  • For Fall 2026, creative director Anthony Vaccarello showcased a series of single- and double-breasted black suits, distinguishable from one another by the slightest shade.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The details of the plot are not particularly important or distinguishable from previous entries.
    Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Add in limited ventilation and the fact that windows usually can’t be opened freely, and the effects can quickly become noticeable.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Over 200 witness reports were filed with the American Meteor Society after a daylight meteor caused a sonic boom that was audible throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • In early 2026, nearly 80% of large fireballs (those with 50+ reports) produced audible booms — an unusually high rate.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Flying heat shield forward, the Orion will hit the top of the discernible atmosphere while moving at some 25,000 mph.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Trump cultivates an aura of unpredictability, but his actions betray certain patterns that are discernible to those who know where to look.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An airport offers, if not exactly an equitable experience (there are Clear lines, lounge archipelagos), then at least a perceptible simulacrum of equality, in that everyone rides the same people movers past the same Cinnabons.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Instead, there was a perceptible rise in militant attacks within Pakistan, accompanied by Kabul’s reluctance or inability to decisively act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
    Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The claim, remember, is that these cosmic voids are completely empty of normal matter, dark matter, and emit no detectable radiation of any kind.
    Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Appreciable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appreciable. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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