Thesaurus results for PALPABLE

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 Silence is palpable in the portraits of the men, photographs that show hardship coexisting with resilience, that quiver with pathos but do not collapse. — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 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

But, the vehicles that will officially operate in Denver are even more distinguishable.

— Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of distinguishable

Adjective

The first tangible milestone arrived this summer with the opening of a new Nobu restaurant in the Eastown District of New Cairo, offering diners a teaser of the brand ahead of the future Nobu Hotel (set to open next year).

— Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
Wasserman Schultz told voters that her experience in Washington would produce tangible benefits for the district.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangible

Adjective

The actress was said to be a friend of Cusk’s, or at least an acquaintance, and her double in the book, who’s just called M, is unmistakable.

— Emma Alpern, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Little, who speaks with an unmistakable Texas twang, saw the border closure as a chance to reshore the US cattle industry and stop the bleed.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

The blazing speed around the end is especially noticeable for a team that has lacked that flash in past seasons — and also was miserable on third downs during last year’s disappointing 6-11 campaign.

— Jesse Newell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
One of the most noticeable things about The Complete Carebrush is the long teeth that are alternately spaced, creating a scalp massage and helping hair to move through the brush without friction.

— Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

That was particularly evident as the club looked to replace franchise shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose absence has forced an infield shuffle and several changes to the big-league roster.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
His separation and quickness were always evident, and despite being a bit undersized, his type of game can succeed at the NFL level.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of evident

Adjective

The model tends toward certain word choices repeatedly throughout a text, embedding a pattern that is meant to be perceptible only to someone with the key.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Output still contains SynthID and C2PA Content Credentials, two types of digital watermarking that aren't perceptible under normal circumstances and cannot be toggled off.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of perceptible

Adjective

At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of physical

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palpable

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Style

“Palpable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/palpable. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of palpable

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