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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ponderable
Adjective
  • In a series of experiments, my colleagues and I found that people frequently took bad advice, even when the flaws in the advice were glaringly obvious.
    Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
  • For Trump, the next steps should be obvious: Avoid bloodshed.
    Lissa Weinmann, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The three larger nurseries, prominent plant suppliers to nurseries and individuals for more than 40 years, have been donating some of their rare and unique plants to botanic gardens and other growers as well.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Penn State, now 34-7 over the past three seasons, has to this point been largely hovering in the background, nationally relevant but not nationally prominent.
    Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Eggers’s movies are rendered distinctive by the intensity of their investment in their images—less a matter of the aesthetic of what’s being presented than of the conspicuous concentration of energy (and of material) on their creation.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Sight gags baked into the production design (the books the Gromit reads or the signs that populate the sets) and gnome puns aplenty make for a ride in which every frame packs a dense layer of comedy, at times conspicuous, others not so much.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Currently sold out on Walmart's website, the dupe bears a striking resemblance to the real thing at a fraction of the cost, between $78 and $102.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Dec. 2024
  • It was razed and replaced in 1932 by a much less striking WPA-era building.
    Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And perhaps the most noticeable change: BMW eliminated the traditional gauge cluster in the dash in favor of a customizable digital version projected onto the windshield.
    Abigail Bassett, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Erivo has long been synonymous with her nails—but her manicures were especially noticeable while promoting Wicked.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The gap between a brilliant, perfect idea and its manifestation here on earth is evident in elements like the sometimes awkward choreography and the costume-box-meets-couture sensibility.
    Fiona Alison Duncan, ARTnews.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • This aspect of making everything on the premises is evident in the samosas, which elsewhere may be purchased in bulk; here their flakiness shows finesse and the fillings are very savory, served with two dipping sauces on the side.
    John Mariani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The center of attention is light as a hinge between new science and old religion — Christian, Jewish and Muslim — as manifest in around 100 Medieval art objects made in Western Europe.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The non-specific prayer hints at an innate paganism, a murky complexity roiling beneath Ellen’s adolescent purity; that double nature is increasingly manifest in Depp’s performance as the plot advances.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Below are three tangible and practical strategies to reduce back pain—habits that can instigate lasting change, improve spine health, and mitigate the risk of future surgical intervention.
    Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
  • This departure follows another recent decision by KTM to exit the Hard Enduro World Championship, mirroring their strategy to retract from high-cost partnerships that yield less tangible financial benefits.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near ponderable

Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

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