commutable
/kə'mju:təbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of being exchanged or substituted for something else of equivalent value or function: This meaning describes something that can be replaced by another item without loss of worth or purpose.
- Subject to alteration or change, especially in legal or formal contexts: This meaning often refers to a penalty or sentence that can be legally changed or reduced to a less severe one.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The two types of currency were not commutable at the official exchange rate. (The currencies could not be directly exchanged for each other at that rate.)
- The judge declared the sentence commutable from a fine to community service. (The judge stated the penalty could be changed from a monetary fine to unpaid work.)
- In some pension schemes, benefits are commutable for a lump-sum payment. (The regular pension payments can be exchanged for a single, larger payment.)
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: Most commonly used to describe a criminal sentence, especially a death penalty, that can be legally reduced or changed.
- The prisoner hoped for a commutable sentence. (The prisoner hoped for a sentence that could be reduced.)
- Financial/Contractual Context: Used to describe terms, benefits, or obligations that can be exchanged or converted.
- The contract includes a commutable clause for the delivery method. (The contract allows the method of delivery to be changed to an equivalent one.)
Variants and Related Words
- Commute (verb): To travel regularly over a distance, or to reduce a judicial sentence.
- He commutes to the city every day.
- The governor commuted the prisoner's sentence.
- Commutation (noun): The act or process of commuting; a substitution or exchange.
- The commutation of his sentence brought relief to his family.
- Noncommutable (adj.): Not capable of being exchanged or altered.
- The terms of the agreement were noncommutable.
Synonyms
- Exchangeable: Capable of being traded or swapped.
- Convertible: Able to be changed in form, character, or function.
- Substitutable: Capable of being replaced by another.
Antonyms
- Incommutable: Not subject to change or exchange.
- Irreducible: Not able to be lessened or simplified.
- Fixed: Not subject to change or alteration.
Adjective
- capable of being exchanged for another or for something else that is equivalent
- subject to alteration or change
- the death sentence was commutable to life imprisonment