ponderable

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
  • This year organizers are acknowledging openly what’s been obvious for a while.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Along with the quarterback position after releasing Rodgers, which is obvious, the Jets will need multiple new wide receivers after releasing Adams, two new tight ends, and a right tackle, and that’s just on the offensive side of the team.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Zelensky arrived at the White House wearing a black sweater with two buttons that featured the Ukrainian trident—a prominent element of the nation's flag and a symbol of power and authority—in addition to black cargo pants and boots.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Other prominent craftspeople have received an impressive amount of noms without a win.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Costs have been driven in part by levies to prevent and insure against wildfires, but the analysts anticipate a less conspicuous source of pressure on power bills going forward: growing electricity demand from data centers.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • If Hochul does fire Adams, Cuomo — who’s kept a careful distance from Adams and a conspicuous silence about his problems — would almost surely enter the mayor’s race as its frontrunner instead of running against Hochul next year to win back his old job.
    Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Soon after the striking Oval Office meeting, a host of European leaders took to social media to express their support for Ukraine.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • For example, earlier this month, a striking residence refurbished by architect Robert Stone was hoisted onto the market for $7.5 million.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This processor delivers a noticeable jump in performance while still maintaining the all-day battery life the tablet is known for.
    K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
  • All of that increases the odds that the trade war will be more visible to Americans, disrupting supply chains and causing noticeable price hikes for certain items.
    Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His impact is evident in the works of countless artists who cite him as a foundational inspiration.
    Shirley Halperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The foreign policy shift was evident, as European leaders visited Trump this week at the White House to talk about reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The capitulation to Trump was manifest in Senate Republican’s refusal to block any of the president’s cast of unqualified and dangerous nominees to serve in senior cabinet positions.
    Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences.
    Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Craft Viral Moments, Blame Biden Yet some early scenes Tuesday vividly demonstrated the difficulty Democrats, progressives and everyday citizens face in marshaling a tangible response to Trump and the swift, sweeping actions of his second administration.
    TIME, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And one other challenge the company faces is funding – something that the realization of CL1 as a tangible, usable technology might change.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
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 13 Mar. 2025.

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