as in distinguishable
able to be perceived by a sense or by the mind
there was a barely detectable hum coming from the refrigerator
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Recent Examples of detectable
But that category covers everything from a basic carbon pitcher to a reverse osmosis system that removes contaminants down to non-detectable levels.
—
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
This also means dark matter is effectively invisible to us, only detectable via its interaction with gravity and the knock-on effect this has on everyday matter and light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
This also means dark matter is effectively invisible to us, only detectable via its interaction with gravity and the knock-on effect this has on everyday matter and light.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectable
Adjective
-
If atoms were distinguishable, looking at two atoms of the same type would be like looking at two cars of the same make and model, says Christian Sanner, a physicist at Colorado State University, who was not involved in the new paper.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
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At the busy lobby bar, those attending the function are easily distinguishable by their tuxedos and ball gowns from hotel guests in their Saturday-night duds.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The agonies of the day were only intermittently audible in the music on offer in Witten.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
In the final seconds of the first period, a restless Honda Center crowd that had been muted let out some audible boos.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
For families dealing with allergies, wildfire smoke, pets or newer homes with lingering chemical odors, upgrading to a real HEPA air purifier can make a noticeable difference.—
Ryan Brennan
May 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
-
Either way, the presence of the nutsedge has given a clear roadmap for corrective maintenance on an issue that often isn’t noticeable until root rot sets in.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The objects had no visible exhaust, no discernible means of propulsion, and looked nothing like any aircraft in the nation’s civilian or military arsenal.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 May 2026
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More on ‘Dutton Ranch’ While no discernible North Texas locations appear in the trailer, the show primarily filmed in the region.—
Brayden Garcia
May 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
That shift isn’t just perceptible—it’s been acknowledged by the women who helped build the Atlanta franchise.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
12 May 2026
-
This means that even in noisy environments, the signals remain clearly perceptible to the mics.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectable. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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