implausible

adjective

im·​plau·​si·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈplȯ-zə-bəl How to pronounce implausible (audio)
: not plausible : provoking disbelief
implausibility noun
implausibly adverb

Examples of implausible in a Sentence

She's been making implausible claims. He gave an implausible excuse for showing up late for work. The novel has an implausible ending.
Recent Examples on the Web As implausible as that sounds, the theory is backed by data from past eras when seismic technological innovations wiped out entire occupations, say economists behind a recent National Bureau of Economic Research paper. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024 The likelihood of agreement on an even tougher package that would be acceptable to both Mr. Trump and enough Democrats to pass the Senate seems implausible if not impossible. Peter Baker, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Such relationship milestones compound with implausible speed. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Now exactly that implausible strategy, elevating Haley over DeSantis, will probably define the New Hampshire primary. Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 Statistics were tortured to support implausible theories about predictive biomarkers. Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 19 Dec. 2023 So, at a signal from Samuel Adams, 50 Sons of Liberty, wearing implausible Native American disguises as Mohawks, broke onto the tea ships on the night of December 16, 1773. The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 The prospect of two separate transactions winning with the same numbers at one location can seem implausible, especially considering there are 23,000 lottery retailers across the state. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023 Marks explained in detail why Ladapo’s objections were scientifically implausible, but Ladapo countered that the FDA had not made the proper assessments. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'implausible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of implausible was circa 1677

Dictionary Entries Near implausible

Cite this Entry

“Implausible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implausible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

implausible

adjective
im·​plau·​si·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈplȯ-zə-bəl How to pronounce implausible (audio)
: causing disbelief : not plausible
implausibility noun
implausibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on implausible

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