Synonyms for Possible: 30+ Best Alternatives and Similar Words
Synonyms for possible include feasible, achievable, likely, probable, workable, attainable, viable, practical, and conceivable. The best choice depends on the context. For example, feasible means something can realistically be done, while conceivable means something can be imagined or considered possible.
What Does “Possible” Mean?
“Possible” means something that can happen, exist, or be done under the right conditions. It doesn’t guarantee an outcome, it just means the outcome isn’t ruled out.
In plain words: if there’s a real chance of something happening, it’s possible
What Are 5 Good Synonyms for “Possible”?
If you only remember five words from this whole list, make it these:
1. Feasible
2. Viable
3. Achievable
4. Doable
5. Conceivable
Formal Synonyms for Possible
Feasible
Meaning: capable of being done with the resources at hand.
Example: The manager said the deadline was feasible if the team worked together.
Viable
Meaning: able to work or survive in practice.
Example: Their business idea turned out to be a viable option after all.
Achievable
Meaning: able to be reached or accomplished.
Example: She set an achievable goal for her first month at the gym.
Attainable
Meaning: within someone’s reach or grasp.
Example: A promotion felt attainable once he finished the certification.
Practicable
Meaning: capable of being put into practice, right now.
Example: The engineers found a practicable fix without shutting down the plant.
Tenable
Meaning: defensible or able to be maintained.
Example: His argument was tenable, even under tough questioning.
Everyday Synonyms for Possible
Doable
Meaning: something a person can realistically do.
Example: Cleaning the garage in one weekend sounds doable.
Workable
Meaning: practical enough to actually function.
Example: They came up with a workable schedule for the whole family.
Manageable
Meaning: able to be handled without too much stress.
Example: The workload felt manageable once she made a list.
Reachable
Meaning: able to be reached with effort.
Example: The sales target is reachable if we push hard this quarter.
Practical
Meaning: sensible and grounded in real conditions.
Example: A practical solution beats a fancy one that never gets used.
Synonyms for Possible That Suggest Probability
Likely
Meaning: expected to happen based on current facts.
Example: Rain is likely later this afternoon.
Probable
Meaning: more likely than not to be true.
Example: A delay is probable given the current traffic.
Plausible
Meaning: believable, even if not confirmed.
Example: His excuse sounded plausible, but nobody checked it.
Presumable
Meaning: reasonably assumed, without direct proof.
Example: It’s presumable that the flight was delayed by the storm.
Foreseeable
Meaning: able to be predicted before it happens.
Example: No changes are expected in the foreseeable future.
Synonyms for Possible That Suggest Imagination or Theory
Conceivable
Meaning: able to be imagined or thought of.
Example: It’s conceivable that prices will drop next year.
Imaginable
Meaning: able to be pictured mentally.
Example: Every imaginable outcome was discussed before the launch.
Hypothetical
Meaning: based on a suggested idea, not proven fact.
Example: They walked through a hypothetical scenario during training.
Theoretical
Meaning: existing in theory rather than in practice.
Example: The plan looked good on paper, but it stayed theoretical.
Thinkable
Meaning: able to be considered seriously.
Example: A four-day workweek is finally thinkable for many companies.
Synonyms for Possible That Carry a Logical Tone
Reasonable
Meaning: fair and sensible given the situation.
Example: A reasonable request deserves a reasonable answer.
Sound
Meaning: well-founded and logically solid.
Example: Her sound reasoning convinced the whole committee.
Valid
Meaning: logically correct and acceptable.
Example: That’s a valid point worth discussing further.
Cogent
Meaning: clear, logical, and convincing.
Example: He gave a cogent explanation for the delay.
Logical
Meaning: following clear reasoning.
Example: Skipping the meeting seemed like the logical choice.
A Few More Worth Knowing
Some synonyms for possible don’t fit neatly into one category, but they still pull their weight.
- Prospective – likely to happen or become something soon
- Sustainable – able to continue over time without breaking down
- Negotiable – open to change through discussion
- Legitimate – acceptable and fair under the circumstances
- On the cards – expected to happen soon (common in British and Commonwealth English)
- Within reach – close enough to achieve
- Anticipated – expected based on planning or evidence
- Satisfactory – good enough to meet a standard
- Adequate – sufficient for the purpose
- Accessible – easy to reach, obtain, or use
Antonyms of Possible
The opposite of possible describes something that cannot happen, cannot be done, or is not realistic under the given conditions. Common antonyms include:
| Antonym | Meaning | Example |
| Impossible | Cannot happen or be done | It is impossible to finish the work in one minute. |
| Unlikely | Not expected to happen | It is unlikely to rain today. |
| Impractical | Not sensible or realistic to do | The plan is too expensive and impractical. |
| Infeasible | Not possible to achieve or carry out | The project proved infeasible within the budget. |
| Unachievable | Cannot be reached or completed | The deadline seems unachievable. |
| Unattainable | Impossible to reach or obtain | That goal may be unattainable without more resources. |
| Unworkable | Cannot work successfully in practice | The proposed schedule is unworkable. |
| Impossible to achieve | Cannot realistically be accomplished | The target is impossible to achieve in such a short time. |
| Unreasonable | Not sensible or realistic | The request is unreasonable given the circumstances. |
| Impracticable | Difficult or impossible to put into action | The plan was considered impracticable. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest synonym for possible?
Feasible and likely are the two closest matches, though they lean in different directions — feasible focuses on capability, while likely focuses on probability.
What is a formal word for possible?
Feasible, viable, and tenable all work well in formal or professional writing.
What is a simple synonym for possible?
Doable is one of the simplest and most common everyday alternatives.
Is “probable” the same as “possible”?
Not quite. Possible means something can happen, while probable means it’s likely to happen. Every probable event is possible, but not every possible event is probable.
Final Thoughts
Possible is a fine word. Nothing wrong with it. But English hands you dozens of ways to say the same thing with a different shade of meaning, tone, or confidence level. Whether you need something formal like feasible, something casual like doable, or something that leans on probability like likely, there’s a synonym here that fits.
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