palpable
adjective
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Feel Out the Definition of Palpable
The word palpable has been used in English since the 14th century. It derives from the Latin word palpare, meaning "to stroke" or "to caress"—the same root that gives us the word palpitation. The Latin verb is also a linguistic ancestor of the verb feel. Palpable can be used to describe things that can be felt through the skin, such as a person's pulse, but even more frequently it is used in reference to things that cannot be touched but are still so easy to perceive that it is as though they could be touched—such as "a palpable tension in the air."
Synonyms
- appreciable
- apprehensible
- detectable
- discernible
- discernable
- distinguishable
- perceptible
- sensible
Example Sentences
Simon Kallal et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 7 Feb. 2008 There's a palpable feeling of community here: owner Lee McLemore stocks the store with a surprisingly large wine selection, police chief Andy Williams moonlights in the prepared-foods section and barbecues in the parking lot, and George Watkins personally fills the shelves with his superb tupelo honey. Todd Coleman, Saveur, October 2006 When I'm back in nature after months of walking around on concrete and living in boxes, I feel a palpable internal shift. Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006 I felt a palpable sense of relief. The attraction between them was palpable. There was a palpable excitement in the air as the town prepared for the festival. See More Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2022 Yet there was a more immediate, intimate connection between the musicians that was palpable even from the cheap seats. William Earl, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 Elizabeth's father King George VI agreed to the union, and the couple's joy was palpable. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2022 Even though Queen Elizabeth was 96 years old, the sense of shock of her death is palpable here in London. ABC News, 11 Sep. 2022 The frustration was palpable as residents descended upon a city water pickup site at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School, many returning several days in a row. Scott Dance, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2022 Second is the push because there is likely to be palpable disappointment in the standard iPhone 14. Gordon Kelly, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 But in the eight months since, the expectations from outside the Eccles Football Center piling high on top of the program have been palpable. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The excitement over new quarterback Trey Lance is palpable. Lance Pugmire, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare to stroke, caress — more at feel
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
palpable
adjective
Journal of the American Medical Association palpable
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- distinguishable
- noticeable
- audible
- perceptible
- discernible
- appreciable
- detectable
- visible
- tangible
- discernable
- obvious
- evident
- identifiable
- apprehensible
- apparent
- significant
- conspicuous
- sensible
- manifest
- observable
- striking
- prominent
- distinct
- ponderable
- clear
- straightforward
- plain
- eye-catching
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- imperceptible
- impalpable
- indistinguishable
- intangible
- invisible
- undetectable
- inappreciable
- insensible
- inaudible
- slight
- indistinct
- insignificant
- faint
- inconspicuous
- trivial
- unobtrusive
- vague
- hidden
- unnoticeable
- obscure
- shrouded
- disguised
- concealed
- buried
- covert
Synonyms & Similar Words
- tangible
- noticeable
- physical
- touchable
- visible
- perceptible
- discernible
- real
- tactile
- appreciable
- embodied
- substantial
- detectable
- actual
- corporeal
- observable
- discernable
- existent
- concrete
- seeable
- material
- sensible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- intangible
- impalpable
- immaterial
- unreal
- insubstantial
- incorporeal
- spiritual
- unsubstantial
- abstract
- formless
- imperceptible
- virtual
- nonphysical
- nonmaterial
- ethereal
- bodiless
- unbodied
- insensible
Synonyms & Similar Words
- unmistakable
- apparent
- evident
- obvious
- clear
- straightforward
- distinct
- visible
- manifest
- unequivocal
- luminous
- noticeable
- unambiguous
- tangible
- broad
- transparent
- lucid
- simple
- plain
- understandable
- perspicuous
- unambivalent
- barefaced
- ringing
- crystal clear
- decided
- patent
- comprehensible
- pellucid
- luculent
- bald
- perceptible
- intelligible
- clear-cut
- explicit
- appreciable
- nonambiguous
- bald-faced
- discernible
- open-and-shut
- recognizable
- undisguised
- knowable
- graspable
- overt
- cognizable
- uncomplicated
- fathomable
- observable
- digestible
- bright-line
- discernable
- tidy
- self-evident
- comprehendible
- sensible
- trenchant
- legible
- readable
- self-explanatory
- decipherable
- cognoscible
- clean
- well-defined
- clean-cut
- black-and-white
- fair
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ambiguous
- mysterious
- indistinct
- unclear
- dark
- obscure
- equivocal
- unfathomable
- enigmatic
- clouded
- incomprehensible
- imperceptible
- unknowable
- impalpable
- subtle
- cryptic
- unapparent
- unintelligible
- indecipherable
- inappreciable
- enigmatical
- vague
- insensible
- nebulous
- gray
- unclarified
- indeterminate
- indiscernible
- nonobvious
- indefinite
- grey
- obfuscated
- hazy
- imprecise
- slippery
- murky
- misty
- sketchy
- cloudy
- gauzy
- noncommittal
- illegible
- unreadable
- undecipherable
Synonym Chooser
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 synonyms appreciable and palpable are sometimes interchangeable, but appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.
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.
In some situations, the words ponderable and palpable are roughly equivalent. However, ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.
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.
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.