ponderable

adjective

Definition of ponderablenext
as in obvious

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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
  1. obvious
  2. prominent
  3. conspicuous
  4. striking
  5. noticeable
  6. evident
  7. manifest
  8. tangible
Adjective
  • The old gunslinger makes the most of an AFC without an obvious favorite and rides off after one last trip into the playoffs, this one coming with a postseason win.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Neural activation and event consolidation seem too bureaucratic, even obvious.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • References to gambling during NBA games analyzed by The Post appeared on average in 1 of every 3 minutes and were often prominent.
    — Luke Connors, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
  • Romano’s sturdy book may not stint on examples of Mary’s bad behavior—including a ferociously jealous verbal assault, near the end of the war, on the wife of a prominent Union general—but the biographer keeps tilting against those who slighted Mary in even the most superficial ways.
    — Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • For all their conspicuous differences, Adams and Jefferson shared some important similarities that bound them in these early days.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • Simply put, hundreds of signs are being removed or covered, including the largest and most visible and the less conspicuous in the concourses.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Definition of conspicuous
Adjective
  • Plants in this family feature compact mounds of frilled or fringed flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and bicolor, often with striking markings, says Funk.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026
  • The German shipyard has just delivered the striking Boardwalk to its owner, who is rumored to be none other than Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta; the billionaire teamed up has four other superyachts with the same moniker (including one with Feadship), each larger than the next.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 May 2026
Definition of striking
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
Definition of noticeable
Adjective
  • While the ramifications are currently most evident in Asia, Neumann said that as manufacturing and consumer sentiment decline, that is likely to spill over into other economies that rely on the region for trade.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
  • That cost was evident in financial markets on Tuesday, with the interest rate charged on British government bonds up by more than those of comparable nations — that shows that investors are putting a higher price on taking on government debt.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • For those in the Rotunda that December day, and for tens of millions of visitors over the next half century, the overwhelming power of the Declaration as symbol and relic was manifest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • The entire flywheel of Anonymous is manifest in that movie from the cast to the book all the way through to the end of production.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2026
Definition of manifest
Adjective
  • And what were the most tangible specifics to come out of it?
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 May 2026
  • But even that fails to generate tangible drama, as do ongoing tensions about the circumstances of the real Kakeru’s death.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Definition of tangible
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.

Browse Nearby Words

ponder
ponderable
pondered
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Cite this Entry

“Ponderable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ponderable. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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