Words / C2

TRAKT-uh-bl/ˈtræktəbl/

Tractable means easy to control, persuade, or deal with (formal): a tractable problem, a tractable child. Manageable is everyday; docile is of people and animals, often unkind. Tenable (already in the dictionary) is defensible, a lookalike trap. Do not call a missing consent clause tractable because a slogan is handy.

Meaning

Easy to control, persuade, or deal with (formal).

Examples

• “A missing consent clause is not made tractable by a slogan.”
• “Manageable is everyday. Docile is of temperament. Tenable is able to be defended (already in C2) — the mix-up. A dated waiver with an owner can be handled. An empty ethics cell cannot be sweet-talked into compliance. Name the clause; then call it easy.”

Good to know

Easily managed (formal). Everyday: manageable. Mix-up: tenable (defensible — already in C2). A slogan does not tidy consent.

Near in meaning

manageable

New