plausibility

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

How to pronounce plausibility (audio)

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plural plausibilities

Definition of plausibility

1 : the quality or state of being plausible

2 : something plausible

Examples of plausibility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For half a dozen years, Thurman has been presented to the boxing public as the next great welterweight, but the plausibility of this presentation has varied. — Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, "Manny Pacquiao Might Be Making a Terrible Mistake," 18 July 2019 The one thing this dud of a bombshell has going for it is plausibility. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Ex-Warrior Andre Iguodala headed for Clippers, confirms not a soul," 3 Sep. 2019 In this novel, his writing veers close to magical realism but halts at the farthest edge of plausibility, especially during the Great Mango March. — New York Times, "New & Noteworthy, From Black Utopias to a ‘Little Women’ Tribute," 27 Aug. 2019 Harriet’s actions would seem to defy plausibility as well as protocol, a flaw that is offset somewhat by the unflinching authority and determination in Spencer’s gaze. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Who is ‘Luce’? Kelvin Harrison Jr. gives a compelling answer in a twisty race drama," 31 July 2019 That means, first, that proposals should meet a baseline degree of factual plausibility — a bar that, for example, the Medicare-for-all plan that Sanders and Warren favor does not clear. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "Other voices: In need of a grounded vision," 4 Aug. 2019 But the author presses the case for Sid Caesar, Jackie Gleason and Louis Prima while arguing, with equal plausibility, against Larry David, Zero Mostel and Don Rickles. — Thomas Vinciguerra, WSJ, "‘Charm’ Review: The Most Pleasing Personality," 11 Oct. 2018 The best stories here are the ones that fall on or near the line of plausibility, exposing the fault lines in our current mode. — Charles Arrowsmith, Washington Post, "Chuck Klosterman tries to make sense of our absurd reality in ‘Raised in Captivity’," 16 July 2019 The best stories here are the ones that fall on or near the line of plausibility, exposing the fault lines in our current mode. — Dallas News, "Chuck Klosterman tries to make sense of our absurd reality in 'Raised in Captivity'," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plausibility.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for plausibility

The first known use of plausibility was in 1649

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