implausible

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈplȯ-zə-bəl How to pronounce implausible (audio)
Definition of implausiblenext
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe the terrorist attacks generated a whole passel of implausible conspiracy theories that dishonor the memory of those who perished

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of implausible The conditions that once made orbital solar implausible no longer exist. — Brigitte Bren, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 The Islamic Republic has always claimed that its domestic opponents were stooges of Israel and the United States, even when those charges were plainly implausible. — Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026 Suddenly the implausible prospect of qualifying for the World Cup was realistic. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 June 2026 Tasks that required years of experience to perform efficiently are being automated at a pace that would have seemed implausible five years ago, perhaps even a year ago. — Tara Faquir, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for implausible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for implausible
  1. incredible
  2. incredulous
  3. unlikely
  4. impossible
  5. unconvincing
  6. inconceivable
  7. unbelievable
  8. absurd
Adjective
  • In the 29th minute, Argentina sent a pass toward the net, and Messi beat the defense with an incredible first step.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Cape Verde came astonishingly close to taking defending champions Argentina all the way to penalties, eventually falling to a 3-2 extra-time defeat despite an incredible goal from full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
  • On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Some analysts, however, think a deal is unlikely because the company would not want to be saddled with a broadcast network.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The motion is unlikely to pass, but indicates how deeply politicized the issue has become.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • The ombudsmen point to impossible care burdens that cause burnout, irregular schedules, lack of training and the difficulty of taking care of seniors who, in previous decades, would have qualified for hospital care.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Shrouded completely in a thick, poisonous cloud cover, its surface is obviously impossible to observe.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 5 July 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • Under Ancelotti, Brazil's performance has seen gradual improvements, though not without unconvincing moments and struggles with midfield athleticism.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The German team opened the 2026 tournament with a 7–1 win over debutant Curaçao, but an unconvincing performance in a 2–1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire exposed the team’s shortcomings.
    — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026
Definition of unconvincing
Adjective
  • The American players seem eager to embrace what might have seemed inconceivable for a big nation with a relatively shallow pedigree in international soccer.
    — Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
  • This level of dominance is inconceivable.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of inconceivable
Adjective
  • The most unbelievable moment of the entire event came down to the elements.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The bread there is genuinely unbelievable…and the baba ganoush!
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of unbelievable
Adjective
  • Space startup activity has been growing for years, with new companies hitting unicorn valuations at a pace that would have seemed absurd five years ago.
    — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • That the Fendons don’t think to immediately tell their devastated adult son, Harry (Craig Roberts), that his dad is still alive is only the first delightfully absurd wrinkle in this mischievous black comedy.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of absurd

Browse Nearby Words

implausibility
implausible
implausibly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Implausible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/implausible. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on implausible

Nglish: Translation of implausible for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All