See More

Some common synonyms of appreciable<\/em> are palpable<\/em><\/a>, perceptible<\/em><\/a>, ponderable<\/em><\/a>, sensible<\/em><\/a>, and tangible<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"apprehensible as real or existent,\" appreciable<\/em> applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.<\/p>

\/\/ an appreciable<\/em> increase in income<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'palpable' a more appropriate choice than 'appreciable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words palpable<\/em><\/a> and appreciable<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, palpable<\/em> applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.<\/p>

\/\/ the tension in the air was almost palpable<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'perceptible' be used to replace 'appreciable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms perceptible<\/em><\/a> and appreciable<\/em> are close in meaning, perceptible<\/em> applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.<\/p>

\/\/ a perceptible<\/em> difference in sound to a careful listener<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'ponderable' be a reasonable alternative to 'appreciable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words ponderable<\/em><\/a> and appreciable<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ponderable<\/em> suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.<\/p>

\/\/ exerted a ponderable<\/em> influence on world events<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'sensible' be used instead of 'appreciable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms sensible<\/em><\/a> and appreciable<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but sensible<\/em> applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.<\/p>

\/\/ an abrupt, sensible<\/em> drop in temperature<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'tangible' be a better fit than 'appreciable'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words tangible<\/em><\/a> and appreciable<\/em> have much in common, tangible<\/em> suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.<\/p>

\/\/ no tangible<\/em> evidence of UFOs<\/p>" } } ] }

Definition of appreciablenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective appreciable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appreciable are palpable, perceptible, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When is palpable a more appropriate choice than appreciable?

In some situations, the words palpable and appreciable are roughly equivalent. 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 could perceptible be used to replace appreciable?

While the synonyms perceptible and appreciable are close in meaning, perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

Where would ponderable be a reasonable alternative to appreciable?

The words ponderable and appreciable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When can sensible be used instead of appreciable?

The synonyms sensible and appreciable are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 appreciable?

Although the words tangible and appreciable have much in common, tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of appreciable The stellar core collapses, unleashing a truly staggering amount of energy that causes the star to explode; in an instant, several octillion tons of matter are flung outward at an appreciable fraction of the speed of light. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026 Book sales have experienced slow, stable growth in the last decade, with audiobooks the engine to drive any appreciable growth. Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 In other words, there won’t be an appreciable difference. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026 Anyone who’s survived to 2026 knows the upper class’ fictitious fantasies still carry real, wretched consequences for the rest of us, but Season 4 plays out those ongoing scenarios to the nth degree, while condensing them into an appreciable narrative arc. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appreciable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appreciable
Adjective
  • For Fall 2026, creative director Anthony Vaccarello showcased a series of single- and double-breasted black suits, distinguishable from one another by the slightest shade.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The details of the plot are not particularly important or distinguishable from previous entries.
    Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That second gear arrives only after 120 KPH, and while the handover is noticeable (though not harsh), your butt dyno will also note that the torque curve is in fact a straight line that doesn’t relent.
    Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Sometimes these shifts are small, noticeable only to the character experiencing them, as when an impending hurricane heightens the narrator’s receptivity to the minor mysteries of humble objects.
    Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite audible boos in the theater and the third winner Mark Sonnenblick visibly protesting the play off, the broadcast moved forward to a commercial break, and the lights on stage were cut, forcing the three off stage.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Hulu offers standard closed captioning, but relatively few titles support audio descriptions, an accessibility feature that provides audible narration of on-screen actions that would not be discernible through dialogue alone.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike other groups designated as terrorist threats, Antifa is more of a set of tactics and a political philosophy than a discernible group.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This was a dramatic turn after Starmer had sought a reputation as something of a Trump-whisperer — even if that went down badly with many Britons at home, failing to win discernible gains over the Ukraine war and Trump’s hostile pursuit of Greenland.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, there was a perceptible rise in militant attacks within Pakistan, accompanied by Kabul’s reluctance or inability to decisively act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
    Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Her small shakes of her head are barely perceptible in her disdain.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even with no other detectable galaxies around it, this galaxy — known as MCG+01–02–015 — displays enormous evidence of having merged with smaller galaxies over its cosmic history.
    Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Appreciable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appreciable. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on appreciable

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster