palpable

Almost physically present

Palpable describes something so intense or present it seems physically touchable.

A doctor performs a palpable exam by feeling with the hands—checking for lumps, tenderness, swelling.

The figurative sense dominates: The tension in the room was palpable.

Palpable relief, palpable excitement, palpable fear—emotions strong enough to feel almost tangible.

evident

obvious

Easily perceived, unmistakable

apparentClearly seen or understood
manifestClearly apparent or displayed
unmistakableImpossible to misidentify

clear · noticeable · discernible · perceptible · detectable · conspicuous · pronounced · blatant · patent · striking

tangible

tactile

Of the touching sense

touchableCapable of being felt
graspableAble to be held
solidFirm matter state

concrete · material · substantial · corporeal · physical · bodily · haptic · textured · felt · handled

intense

overwhelming

Intensely excessive in force

acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
profoundIntensely meaningful or insightful
thickHaving great depth

electric · charged · heavy · dense · suffocating · oppressive · potent · powerful · gripping · piercing

atmospheric

tension

Stretched or strained state

anticipationState of awaiting something
excitementState of eager enthusiasm
dreadIntense anticipatory fear

fear · unease · hostility · silence · energy · mood · suspense · anxiety · relief · electricity

Categories

physical propertiessolid, texture, weight, mass, surface
bodyflesh, skin, bones, muscle, bone
certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
clarityclearness, clear, obvious, simplification, concise
sensationstaste, touch, smell, sound, pain
tightnesstight, taut, snug, constricting, compressed

Opposites

physical tangibility

palpableintangible

Not physically present

impalpable · incorporeal · immaterial · insubstantial · ethereal

perceptual intensity/obviousness

palpableimperceptible

Cannot be sensed

undetectable · subtle · indiscernible · inappreciable · unnoticeable

concreteness

palpableabstract

Condensed version of text

theoretical · intangible · immaterial · conceptual · notional

Family

impalpable, palpably, palpability

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G