plausible

plau·si·ble

adjective \ˈplȯ-zə-bəl\

Definition of PLAUSIBLE

1

: superficially fair, reasonable, or valuable but often specious <a plausible pretext>

2

: superficially pleasing or persuasive <a swindler… , then a quack, then a smooth, plausible gentleman — R. W. Emerson>

3

: appearing worthy of belief <the argument was both powerful and plausible>

— plau·si·ble·ness noun

— plau·si·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of PLAUSIBLE

1. <it's a plausible explanation for the demise of that prehistoric species>
2. I watch the ospreys who nest on Perch Island high atop their white spruce. Our sense of a plausible summer depends much on their diligent success at nest-building and procreation, and on their chicks fledging in late August. —Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008
3. … I'd mastered the quick size-up. Does the person seem agreeable over coffee at the drugstore counter and picking up his mail at the post office, drive a plausible vehicle, and know the weather forecast? —Edward Hoagland, Harper's, June 2007
4. Now, two NASA scientists, both also astronauts, suggest a simpler, safer, and much more plausible way of diverting an offending asteroid. Their method relies on the gravitational tug of a massive, unmanned spacecraft to pull the rock away from a damaging rendezvous with Earth. —R. Cowen, Science News, 12 Nov. 2005
5. … string theorists can exhibit plausible models of a unified Universe, but unfortunately they cannot explain why we inhabit a particular one. —Michael Atiyah, Nature, 22-29 Dec. 2005

Origin of PLAUSIBLE

Latin plausibilis worthy of applause, from plausus, past participle of plaudere

First Known Use: 1565

Related to PLAUSIBLE

Synonyms

credible, creditable, likely, believable, presumptive, probable

Antonyms

far-fetched, implausible, improbable, incredible, unbelievable, unlikely, unplausible

Related Words

cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, forceful, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling; acceptable, cogitable, conceivable, imaginable, possible, practical, reasonable; dependable, reliable, trustworthy; sophistic (or sophistical), specious

Near Antonyms

absurd, doubtful, dubious, fantastic (also fantastical), flimsy, outlandish, preposterous, questionable, ridiculous; impossible, inconceivable, unimaginable, unthinkable; skeptical, suspect, suspicious, uncertain, unsure; hopeless, unworkable, useless