plausibility

noun

plau·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌplȯ-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural plausibilities

1

: the quality or state of being plausible

2

: something plausible

Examples of plausibility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This, however, is just a restatement of the observation that the same set of historical episodes might, with equal plausibility, be described from one point of view as continuous and from another as a break. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

Absolutely not to be confused with the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, The Octopus Murders casts a shadow of plausibility, much of it concerning what the U.S. government is capable of, that should give viewers pause. —Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024

The city will explore the design and financial plausibilities of adding courts at either Sports Park or Veterans Park Facebook Show more sharing options Imperial Beach resident Bobby Bishop, 66, took on pickleball several years ago after tennis became too strenuous on his body. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024

Linda Swan Los Altos Hills Panetta shows cynicism with South Africa letter The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the plausibility of genocide in Gaza and asked for steps to ensure that doesn’t take place. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2023

Personally, this plausibility problem undermined my engagement with the film throughout, the mental equivalent of chipping a tooth on the first course of a meal. —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024

Its plausibility enhances the film’s impact, allowing The Beekeeper to eschew convoluted plotlines and intellectual posturing that can weigh down action movies. —Giancarlo Sopo, National Review, 13 Jan. 2024

Fiction is expected to stay within the bounds of plausibility. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2024

Any air of plausibility soon leaks out of the plot, and the whole thing drifts into silliness, tricked out with familiar tropes. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1