IMPLAUSIBLE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

implausible

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈplȯ-zə-bəl

Definition of implausible

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 But this seems implausible today, when great powers cannot even cooperate on addressing climate change, let alone the full shape of world order. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The idea that either could survive another four-year cycle (Messi is 39 and Ronaldo 41) and play at the 2030 World Cup seemed implausible. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 On April 1st, Trump’s presence generated dark comedy and cringily implausible encounters. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Even if this implausible interpretation were correct, Comey’s message would not be a crime. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for implausible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for implausible

Adjective

In finishing 27 for 30 for 401 yards, Mensah went an incredible 12 for 14 on passes thrown 10 yards or more.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
The best form of flattery is imitation, and Robert Pattinson does an incredible impression of Chris Hansen for A24’s new movie, Primetime.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of incredible

Adjective

When a boater posted footage of the new island on social media, incredulous officials thought the video was AI-generated, according to the New York Times.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Besides, there are tree branches to bundle, coupons to clip, guacamole to toss out, incredulous news reports to run through Snopes and at least 20 spam texts to block.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of incredulous

Adjective

The rationale being that Frank Lampard got his tactics spot on at the Etihad and on another day – a day when Coventry were more decisive in front of goal – their head coach would have been celebrating an unlikely result.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Chris Douglas, a professor of economics at the University of Michigan-Flint, called it unlikely that stick prices will go up 50% across the board, noting Canada's modest market share, but wonders what will happen if demand increases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of unlikely

Adjective

Underwood wasn’t Michigan’s only problem, but his struggles were impossible to ignore.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
In a community where trust in the immigration system and other authorities had eroded, Ortega became someone who had been through the same fear and knew how to navigate a system that many families found impossible to understand.

— Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of impossible

Adjective

The ensuing tense encounter includes one of the more unconvincing shootouts ever committed to film, although to be fair, two of the characters involved clearly have little prior experience.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
Judge Sweeney found this defense unconvincing; the presence of both athletes who stay in school past their NCAA eligibility and incoming freshmen arguably creates more, not less, competition.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconvincing

Adjective

When Emmanuel Macron revived the idea, in 2018, a curator at the Bayeux Museum insisted that moving the frankly archeological textile was, conservationally speaking, inconceivable.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
There are plenty of inconceivable exploits in the final season of Outer Banks, in ranging degrees of ridiculousness.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of inconceivable

Adjective

Hill poured the putt in with ease and felt the embrace as the GB&I team completed a shocking, unbelievable comeback to win the Walker Cup.

— Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The Michigan Wolverines were beaten – and some would say literally – by Western Michigan on Saturday before one of the more unbelievable scenes in the sport's history unfolded.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of unbelievable

Adjective

The Appalachian Trail is absolutely brutal The distance alone is obviously absurd, but mileage is only part of what makes the AT such a beast.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
The selection process does not judge whether a study is admirable or absurd, good or bad.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of absurd

Browse Nearby Words

implausibility

implausible

implausibly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Implausible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/implausible. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of implausible

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

stigma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes