PALPABLE Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'palpable' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of palpable are appreciable , perceptible , ponderable , sensible , and tangible . While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable. // the tension in the air was almost palpable

Q: In what contexts can 'appreciable' take the place of 'palpable'?

The synonyms appreciable and palpable are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable. // an appreciable increase in income

Q: When is it sensible to use 'perceptible' instead of 'palpable'?

While the synonyms perceptible and palpable 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

Q: When can 'ponderable' be used instead of 'palpable'?

In some situations, the words ponderable and palpable are roughly equivalent. However, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance. // exerted a ponderable influence on world events

Q: When might 'sensible' be a better fit than 'palpable'?

Although the words sensible and palpable have much in common, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind. // an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

Q: When is 'tangible' a more appropriate choice than 'palpable'?

The words tangible and palpable 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

palpable

adjective

ˈpal-pə-bəl

Definition of palpable

as in distinguishable

able to be perceived by a sense or by the mind the tension in the negotiating room was palpable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tangible

capable of being perceived by the sense of touch a small but palpable lump in my neck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unmistakable

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation a palpable case of lying under oath

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective palpable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of palpable are appreciable, perceptible, ponderable, sensible, and tangible. While all these words mean "apprehensible as real or existent," palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

In what contexts can appreciable take the place of palpable?

The synonyms appreciable and palpable are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

When is it sensible to use perceptible instead of palpable?

While the synonyms perceptible and palpable 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

When can ponderable be used instead of palpable?

In some situations, the words ponderable and palpable are roughly equivalent. However, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

When might sensible be a better fit than palpable?

Although the words sensible and palpable have much in common, sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

When is tangible a more appropriate choice than palpable?

The words tangible and palpable 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

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 palpable Super Cup history Artan admitted the moment of realization was palpable. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 There’s the palpable sense of lived-in suburban life from his 2010 coming-of-age debut, The Myth of the American Sleepover. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 There’s a palpable level of care between you as the performer and your character, which then translates into a palpable level of care between Gwayne and the people around him. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 But his longest film to date — at over two hours — definitely benefits from a more palpable emotional hook at its center, reportedly inspired by the director’s own parents, to whom the film is dedicated. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for palpable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for palpable

Adjective

The next hurdle for lifestyle influencers will be to make content that’s both useful and, crucially, distinguishable from what AI can do.

— Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Based on analyzing samples taken from hundreds of different mole rats, the team learned members of each colony carried a distinguishable chemical signature.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of distinguishable

Adjective

By contrast, former Heat G League and summer standout Alondes Williams continues to push for something tangible in the NBA, at 27 accepting a Wizards Exhibit 10 camp invitation.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
The analysts expect the stock will be a strong performer in the second half of the year from accretion of the Discover deal and strong buybacks, which will support improvement in return on tangible equity (ROTE).

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangible

Adjective

Her strength, warmth, generosity, and unmistakable personality left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

— Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
In the mid-1970s, Slash’s mother, the costume designer Ola Hudson, worked on the American production of The Rocky Horror Show, whose Frank-N-Furter is the unmistakable touchstone of Bourzgui’s David, down to the depraved purr.

— Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

JumpSmart also includes a compass, thermometer, reflector strip, and emergency audible alarm that is perfect for hiking, camping, and off-roading.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
In a room of hundreds of people, there was hardly an audible reaction to an announcement that the AP had called the race.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of audible

Adjective

Some treatments made a noticeable difference; others raised more questions than answers.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
The Kickstarter file came out dimensionally accurate, with good overhangs out to 85 degrees, but the stringing was noticeable and prominent.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

At a bond hearing earlier this year, Fernandez Saldana’s attorney said there was no proof his client’s guilt was evident, CNN affiliate Action News Jax reported.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Their issues putting together effective at-bats were evident in the final two games against the Brewers, totaling three runs on 11 hits and three walks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

With rain falling, the disk of the sun was barely perceptible and then, suddenly, the lights went out.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Much of this glazing has been retrofitted with an ultraviolet dot pattern that’s hardly perceptible to us but lifesaving for birds.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Definition of perceptible

Browse Nearby Words

palpability

palpable

palpably

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Palpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpable. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of palpable

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on palpable

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

divulge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes