If you describe something such as an argument or explanation as unconvincing, you find it difficult to believe because it does not seem real.
Mr Patel phoned the University for an explanation, and he was given the usual unconvincingexcuses.
To many readers it sounded unconvincing.
Synonyms: implausible, unlikely, lame, suspect More Synonyms of unconvincing
unconvincinglyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
'It's not that I don't believe you, Meg,' Jack said, unconvincingly.
2. adjective
If you describe a story or a character in a story as unconvincing, you think they do not seem likely or real.
...an unconvincing love story.
unconvincing in British English
(ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ)
adjective
not credible or plausible
Examples of 'unconvincing' in a sentence
unconvincing
Those who think there should be the promised referendum find these arguments unconvincing to the point of being contemptible.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Any talk of American leadership seems hollow and unconvincing.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It seems a sanctimonious, unconvincing argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In this core assertion, their argument remains unconvincing.
The Times Literary Supplement (2008)
What he is saying may make some sense to pointy heads, but to many it will seem unconvincing and vague.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So perhaps it is predictable that the less that survives from an original score, the more unconvincing seem the results.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is an unconvincing argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The script isn't believable, the characters are unconvincing and the plot is not entertaining.
The Sun (2014)
I find this rather unconvincing.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He suggests something a touch unconvincing about the relaxed, welcoming, friendly atmosphere and how the spectators are encouraged to feel part of the experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
unconvincing
British English: unconvincing ADJECTIVE
If you describe something such as an argument or explanation as unconvincing, you find it difficult to believe because it does not seem real.
When he asked for an explanation, he was given the usual unconvincing excuses.
American English: unconvincing
Brazilian Portuguese: pouco convincente
Chinese: 难以令人相信的故事或故事中的人物
European Spanish: poco convincente
French: peu convaincant
German: nicht überzeugend
Italian: poco convincente
Japanese: 非現実的な
Korean: 설득력 없는
European Portuguese: pouco convincente
Latin American Spanish: poco convincente
(adjective)
Definition
(of a reason, argument, etc.) not good enough to convince people that something is true or right
He was given the usual unconvincing excuses.
Synonyms
implausible
It sounded like a convenient and implausible excuse.
unlikely
I smiled sincerely, to encourage him to buy this unlikely story.
lame
He mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep.
suspect
Delegates evacuated the building when a suspect package was found.
thin
The evidence is thin, and to some extent, ambiguous.
weak
The evidence against him was too weak to hold up in court.
dubious
dubious business dealings
questionable
The film is a comedy in highly questionable taste.
hard to believe
feeble
This is a feeble argument.
improbable
It seems improbable that this year's figure will show a drop.
flimsy
The charges were based on flimsy evidence.
fishy (informal)
There seems to be something fishy going on.
specious
cock-and-bull (informal)
unpersuasive
Opposites
likely
,
convincing
,
credible
,
probable
,
plausible
,
persuasive
,
believable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dubious
Definition
of doubtful quality or worth
dubious business dealings
Synonyms
suspect,
suspicious,
crooked (informal),
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
questionable,
unreliable,
shady (informal),
unscrupulous,
fishy (informal),
disreputable,
untrustworthy,
undependable
in the sense of feeble
Definition
not effective or convincing
This is a feeble argument.
Synonyms
unconvincing,
poor,
thin,
weak,
slight,
tame,
pathetic,
lame,
flimsy,
paltry,
flat
in the sense of fishy
Definition
suspicious or questionable
There seems to be something fishy going on.
Synonyms
suspicious,
odd,
suspect,
unlikely,
funny (informal),
doubtful,
dubious,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
queer,
rum (British, slang),
questionable,
improbable,
implausible,
cock-and-bull (informal),
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
Synonyms of 'unconvincing'
unconvincing
Explore 'unconvincing' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of flimsy
Definition
not very convincing
The charges were based on flimsy evidence.
Synonyms
unconvincing,
poor,
thin,
weak,
inadequate,
pathetic,
transparent,
trivial,
feeble,
unsatisfactory,
frivolous,
tenuous,
implausible
in the sense of improbable
Definition
not likely or probable
It seems improbable that this year's figure will show a drop.
Synonyms
doubtful,
unlikely,
uncertain,
unbelievable,
dubious,
questionable,
fanciful,
far-fetched,
implausible
in the sense of lame
Definition
weak
He mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep.
Synonyms
unconvincing,
poor,
pathetic,
inadequate,
thin,
weak,
insufficient,
feeble,
unsatisfactory,
flimsy
in the sense of questionable
Definition
of disputable value or authority
The film is a comedy in highly questionable taste.
Synonyms
dubious,
suspect,
doubtful,
controversial,
uncertain,
suspicious,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
unreliable,
shady (informal),
debatable,
unproven,
fishy (informal),
moot,
arguable,
iffy (informal),
equivocal,
problematical,
disputable,
controvertible,
dubitable,
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of suspect
Definition
not to be trusted or relied upon
Delegates evacuated the building when a suspect package was found.
Synonyms
dubious,
doubtful,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
questionable,
fishy (informal),
iffy (informal),
open to suspicion,
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of thin
Definition
unconvincing because badly thought out or badly presented
The evidence is thin, and to some extent, ambiguous.
Synonyms
unconvincing,
inadequate,
feeble,
poor,
weak,
slight,
shallow,
insufficient,
superficial,
lame,
scant,
flimsy,
scanty,
unsubstantial
in the sense of unlikely
I smiled sincerely, to encourage him to buy this unlikely story.
Synonyms
unbelievable,
incredible,
unconvincing,
implausible,
questionable,
cock-and-bull (informal)
in the sense of weak
Definition
not convincing
The evidence against him was too weak to hold up in court.