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 triggers for a crash likewise do not generally follow any obvious logic.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Roem and other critics of data center growth see a few obvious goals in Virginia if Spanberger wins — though the would-be governor has not climbed on board with all of them.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • In the first few months that initiative has closed down two homeless camps, including a prominent one in Fountain Square, and housed 30 people living in them, according to project leaders.
    — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The series traces what was going on with the prominent Murdaugh family in the years before Alex was convicted of shooting and killing Maggie and Paul on their family farm in 2021 and found guilty of two counts of possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • The previous year, two Buffalo Bills executives got the axe shortly after returning from England because they were engaged in a professionally unethical romantic relationship in conspicuous fashion.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • While it has thus far been signed by nearly 250 arts organizations and hundreds of individuals, major museums are conspicuous by their absence, with signatures predominately coming from arts centers, associations and regional councils.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Definition of conspicuous
Adjective
  • Condon wanted to evoke a similar surprise by having Lopez's Ingrid Luna/Aurora go the same striking shade of blonde.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Buildings such as the Paramount Ballroom, the French-Renaissance style Wukang Mansion and the Peace Hotel by the Bund are among the most striking examples of the period.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of striking
Adjective
  • Private aviation also saw a noticeable bump there in 2022 as a result of wealthy buyers looking to avoid public transportation.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Aldi's Thanksgiving meal bundle this year feeds ten people for just $40, a noticeable markdown from last year's deal.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of noticeable
Adjective
  • Hackman was not only a collector but an artist himself, and his approach to collecting mirrors the care, aesthetic sensibility, and discipline evident in his own artistic practice.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Set the Tone at the Front Door The sense of escape is even evident at the front of the house, where a rose plant climbs across the archway and herbs are planted along the gravel driveway.
    — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of evident
Adjective
  • These concerns stem from high levels of speculative investment—totaling hundreds of billions of dollars—in artificial intelligence with few manifest payoffs, as well as the market’s top-heavy structure, with significant value concentrated in a handful of AI-bullish tech stocks.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • In that vacuum, religious zealots and cults manifest, nihilism thrives, and families are torn apart.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of manifest
Adjective
  • Al-Sudani, who rose to power after that upheaval, insisted his government had taken tangible steps to restore public trust, such as economic progress and political stability.
    — Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
  • These national figures highlight the tangible effects that immigration policies can have on local communities.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
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 Oct. 2025.

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