An explanation or statement that is plausible seems likely to be true or valid.
A more plausible explanation would seem to be that people are fed up with the Conservativegovernment.
That explanation seems entirely plausible to me.
Synonyms: believable, possible, likely, reasonable More Synonyms of plausible
plausibly (plɔːzɪbli)adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Having bluffed his way in without paying, he could not plausibly demand his moneyback.
plausibility (plɔːzɪbɪlɪti)uncountable noun
...the plausibility of the theory. [+ of]
2. adjective
If you say that someone is plausible, you mean that they seem to be telling the truth and to be sincere and honest.
He was so plausible that he conned everybody.
Synonyms: glib, smooth, specious, smooth-talking More Synonyms of plausible
plausible in British English
(ˈplɔːzəbəl)
adjective
1.
apparently reasonable, valid, truthful, etc
a plausible excuse
2.
apparently trustworthy or believable
a plausible speaker
Derived forms
plausibility (ˌplausiˈbility) or plausibleness (ˈplausibleness)
noun
plausibly (ˈplausibly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Latin plausibilis worthy of applause, from plaudere to applaud
plausible in American English
(ˈplɔzəbəl)
adjective
1.
seemingly true, acceptable, etc.
often implying disbelief
2.
seemingly honest, trustworthy, etc.
often implying distrust
SYNONYMY NOTE: plausible applies to that which at first glance appears to be true, reasonable, valid, etc.but which may or may not be so, although there is no connotation of deliberate deception[a plausible argument]; credible is used of that which is believable because it is supported by evidence, sound logic,etc. [a credible account]; specious applies to that which is superficially reasonable, valid, etc. but is actually notso, and it connotes intention to deceive [a specious excuse]
OPPOSITES: genuine, actual
Derived forms
plausibility (ˌplausiˈbility)
noun or ˈplausibleness
plausibly (ˈplausibly)
adverb
Word origin
L plausibilis < plaudere, to applaud
Examples of 'plausible' in a sentence
plausible
All this seems plausible enough but it's not the full story.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
All this seems plausible enough but it's not the full story.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are also a sucker for anything that sounds like a plausible story.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The second of these scenarios became less plausible by the day.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You could invent a plausible excuse for leaving early.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Of course there are many plausible reasons why two firms might wish to merge.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The idea is both worrying and entirely plausible.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He disputed this apparently plausible report with some vigour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Perhaps that seemed more plausible than global warming.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It sounds plausible till you examine it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Other explanations for the improvement in growth are less plausible.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But there are a number of plausible competing explanations.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
But humanity long ago chose to neglect those plausible reasons.
Christianity Today (2000)
And a flat earth actually sounds quite plausible compared with some crackpot theories.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
One can only offer a more or less plausible expectation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But a few surprises would be fine as long as they seemed plausible.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
National differences in factor abundance offer plausible partial explanations for international variations in patterns of specialization and trade.
Forstner, Helmut, Ballance, Robert Competing in a Global Economy (1990)
This theory is certainly plausible, but there are also problems with it.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
But there was a plausible excuse for this - the war was still in full flow.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But the theory is biologically plausible, and the evidence intriguing.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There's another more plausible reason though.
The Sun (2012)
It's entirely plausible the forecast could be for inflation above 2.5%.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Home advantage and better preparation make that outcome entirely plausible, as long as England seize the initiative early.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
So I had to cancel our booking and come up with a plausible excuse as to why we couldn't go any more.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
plausible
British English: plausible ADJECTIVE
An explanation or statement that is plausible seems likely to be true or valid.
This might be a more plausible explanation.
American English: plausible
Brazilian Portuguese: plausível
Chinese: > 看似合理的解释或叙述
European Spanish: verosímil
French: plausible
German: plausibel
Italian: plausibile
Japanese: 納得できる
Korean: 그럴듯한
European Portuguese: plausível
Latin American Spanish: verosímil
Chinese translation of 'plausible'
plausible
(ˈplɔːzɪbl)
adj
[theory, explanation]似乎有理的 (sìhū yǒulǐ de)
[person, rogue, liar]花言巧语(語)的 (huāyán qiǎoyǔ de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
apparently reasonable or true
That explanation seems entirely plausible to me.
Synonyms
believable
believable evidence
possible
It's just possible that he was trying to put me off the trip.
likely
It's likely that he still has it.
reasonable
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
credible
This claim seems perfectly credible to me.
probable
It is probable that food prices will increase.
persuasive
a persuasive argument against reform
conceivable
It is just conceivable that a single survivor may be found.
tenable
This argument is simply not tenable.
colourable
verisimilar
Opposites
impossible
,
unlikely
,
incredible
,
unbelievable
,
improbable
,
inconceivable
,
illogical
,
implausible
2 (adjective)
Definition
apparently trustworthy or believable
He was so plausible he conned us all.
Synonyms
glib
He is full of glib excuses for his past mistakes.
a glib sales executive
smooth
a smooth-talking movie villain
specious
The Duke was not convinced by such specious arguments.
smooth-talking
the smooth-talking cameraman
smooth-tongued
fair-spoken
Additional synonyms
in the sense of conceivable
Definition
capable of being understood, believed, or imagined
It is just conceivable that a single survivor may be found.
Synonyms
imaginable,
possible,
credible,
believable,
thinkable
in the sense of credible
Definition
capable of being believed
This claim seems perfectly credible to me.
Synonyms
believable,
possible,
likely,
reasonable,
probable,
plausible,
conceivable,
imaginable,
tenable,
thinkable,
supposable,
verisimilar
in the sense of likely
It's likely that he still has it.
Synonyms
plausible,
possible,
reasonable,
credible,
feasible,
believable,
verisimilar
Synonyms of 'plausible'
plausible
Explore 'plausible' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of persuasive
Definition
able to persuade
a persuasive argument against reform
Synonyms
convincing,
telling,
effective,
winning,
moving,
sound,
touching,
impressive,
compelling,
influential,
valid,
inducing,
logical,
credible,
plausible,
forceful,
eloquent,
weighty,
impelling,
cogent
in the sense of possible
Definition
feasible but less than probable
It's just possible that he was trying to put me off the trip.
Synonyms
conceivable,
likely,
credible,
plausible,
hypothetical,
imaginable,
believable,
thinkable,
Po$Ebl
in the sense of probable
Definition
most likely
It is probable that food prices will increase.
Synonyms
likely,
possible,
apparent,
reasonable to think,
most likely,
presumed,
credible,
plausible,
feasible,
odds-on,
on the cards,
presumable
in the sense of reasonable
Definition
logical
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
Synonyms
sensible,
reasoned,
sound,
practical,
wise,
intelligent,
rational,
logical,
sober,
credible,
plausible,
sane,
judicious,
grounded
in the sense of smooth
Definition
charming or persuasive but possibly insincere
a smooth-talking movie villain
Synonyms
suave,
slick,
persuasive,
urbane,
silky,
glib,
facile,
ingratiating,
debonair,
unctuous,
smarmy (British, informal)
in the sense of smooth-talking
Definition
confident and persuasive but not necessarily honest or sincere
the smooth-talking cameraman
Synonyms
slick,
suave,
glib,
ingratiating,
sycophantic,
unctuous,
obsequious,
smarmy (informal),
smooth-tongued,
smooth-spoken
in the sense of specious
Definition
apparently correct or true, but actually wrong or false
The Duke was not convinced by such specious arguments.