plausiblyadv.
/ˈplɔːzᵻbli/, U.S. /ˈplɔzəbli/, /ˈplɑzəbli/ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > [adverb]
plausibly1581
applausefully1630
applaudingly1741
applausively1741
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xli. 243 His iudgement is so often, and so plausibly vouched by the curteouse maister Askam.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. N1 The Romaines plausibly did giue consent, To Tarqvins euerlasting banishment. View more context for this quotation
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica v. xxi. 272 We hope they wil plausibly receave our attempts, or candidely correct our misconjectures.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adverb] > with agreeable manner
sweetly?c1225
plausibly1589
genially1751
personably1944
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > praiseworthiness > [adverb]
worshipfullyc1350
a pricea1400
lovably?a1425
laudably1477
praisablya1525
commendably1531
thankworthily1553
praiseworthily1555
plausibly1589
recommendably1611
creditably1848
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. ii. 118 So is it that old men more then any other sort speake most grauely, wisely, assuredly, and plausibly, which partes are all that can be required in perfite eloquence.
1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. O.T. i. 58 Who can hope to liue plausibly and securely amongst so many Cains?
1631–2 High Comm. Cases (1886) 253 If you preach for applause plausibly there is temporall punishment to be inflicted on you heere.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 179 Having the Faculty of discoursing readily, and plausibly.
3. Convincingly, believably; with an appearance of truth or trustworthiness; in a way that seems true or right; (formerly) spec. speciously.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb] > with correspondence to truth
probablyc1443
plausibly1648
verisimilarly1833
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adverb]
colourablya1400
colourly?1550
speciously1647
plausibly1648
meretriciously1755
fairly1821
1648 Hunting of Fox 37 They might more plausibly induce the common People..to come down to Whitehall.
a1691 R. Boyle Wks. (1772) I. 790 There are very learned men, who (plausibly enough) deny that there are any carbuncles or shining stones at all.
1702 C. Brent Ess. Nature Guilt & Lying sig. A4 A Discourse that has been never so plausibly presented to the Ear, is strip'd naked of all such external Ornaments, when it comes to appear before the Eye.
1789 W. Belsham Ess. I. iii. 48 Mr. Hume..plausibly apologizes for Charles I.
1814 T. Jefferson Let. 13 June in Writings (1984) 1336 Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality.
1884 H. Dunckley in Manch. Examiner 26 May 6/1 The objection might be urged more plausibly if the question..were now heard of for the first time.
1946 H. L. Mencken in Amer. Speech 21 81 The Hon. Clare Boothe Luce of Connecticut, the only congresswoman who may be described plausibly as both cerebral and beautiful.
1994 Arena Sept. 86/2 A mutant subculture—labelled New Age Travellers by the Tory press—whose lineage can plausibly be traced back to the Levellers, Diggers and other antinomian religious cults of the 1640s.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1581