adjective
plausible
PLAW-zuh-buhl/ˈplɔːzəbl/
Seeming reasonable or convincing, though not necessarily true or sincere.
Her explanation sounds plausible, but the evidence tells another story.
Etymology
Something plausible was originally worthy of applause or approval. That sense of acceptability shifted toward seeming worthy of belief, so a plausible explanation can sound convincing without necessarily being true.
In context
even though these different explanations aren't particularly compelling that that should increase my Credence in the belief that a man rose from the dead which seems infinitely less plausible
More examples
- We need a plausible excuse for leaving early.
- A loose wire is one plausible cause of the problem.
- The novel's ending feels plausible because the characters behave naturally.
Forms
plausible
plausibility noun — The quality of seeming reasonable or believable.
plausibly adverb — In a seemingly reasonable or believable way.
Similar words
- believable
- Suggests something can be accepted as true or real.
- credible
- Emphasizes supporting evidence or a source's reliability.
- convincing
- Suggests greater success in persuading someone to believe.