plausible

[ plaw-zuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible; believable:

   a plausible excuse; a plausible plot.

   Antonyms: sincere, honest

2. well-spoken and apparently, but often deceptively, worthy of confidence or trust:

   a plausible commentator.

plausible

/ ˈplɔːzəbəl /

adjective

1. apparently reasonable, valid, truthful, etc

   a plausible excuse

2. apparently trustworthy or believable

   a plausible speaker

Derived Forms

• ˈplausibly, adverb
• ˌplausiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• plausi·bili·ty plausi·ble·ness noun
• plausi·bly adverb
• nonplau·si·bili·ty noun
• non·plausi·ble adjective
• non·plausi·ble·ness noun
• non·plausi·bly adverb
• over·plausi·ble adjective
• over·plausi·ble·ness noun
• over·plausi·bly adverb
• super·plausi·ble adjective
• super·plausi·ble·ness noun
• super·plausi·bly adverb
• un·plausi·ble adjective
• un·plausi·ble·ness noun
• un·plausi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plausible¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin plausibilis “deserving applause,” equivalent to plaus(us) (past participle of plaudere “to applaud” + -ibilis adjective suffix; applaud, -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of plausible¹

C16: from Latin plausibilis worthy of applause, from plaudere to applaud

Synonym Study

Plausible, specious describe that which has the appearance of truth but might be deceptive. The person or thing that is plausible strikes the superficial judgment favorably; it may or may not be true: a plausible argument (one that cannot be verified or believed in entirely). Specious definitely implies deceit or falsehood; the surface appearances are quite different from what is beneath: a specious pretense of honesty; a specious argument (one deliberately deceptive, probably for selfish or evil purposes).

Example Sentences

Barring full termination of these tariff actions, Biden should eliminate those that have no plausible connection to our economic or national security.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, it’s entirely plausible that both Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande might be nominated in the same category in the same year.

From Los Angeles Times

Therefore, plausible attorney generals should at a minimum be experienced, accomplished lawyers familiar with federal law and practice and thus capable of assessing the innumerable legal questions that reach their desks.

From Slate

“It’s certainly a plausible outcome,” Binder said.

From Salon

“It’s important that she seems plausible as somebody who could pass,” Yu says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conceivable
• credible
• logical
• persuasive
• possible
• probable
• tenable
• valid