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GRE vocabulary

palpable

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore P words

so intense as to be almost touchable or readily perceived

Word origin: From Latin palpare, to touch or stroke.

In a sentence

Palpable in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing palpable in a sentence.

The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the verdict was read.

A palpable tension settled over the courtroom as the foreman rose to read the verdict.

Synonyms
tangibleperceptibleevidentmanifest
Antonyms
Usage & nuance

Using “palpable” well

Palpable literally means touchable, but in academic prose it almost always describes an atmosphere or emotion so strong it feels physical, such as relief, dread, or hostility.

Common questions

Questions about “palpable

Palpable (adjective) means so intense as to be almost touchable or readily perceived
Here is palpable used in an example sentence: "The tension in the courtroom was palpable as the verdict was read." Another example: "A palpable tension settled over the courtroom as the foreman rose to read the verdict."
Common synonyms for palpable include tangible, perceptible, evident, manifest.
Antonyms of palpable include intangible, imperceptible, subtle.
On the GRE, palpable clusters with tangible, perceptible, evident, and manifest in Sentence Equivalence, opposing intangible, imperceptible, and subtle.
Yes. Palpable is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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