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Definition of plausibly - 2 dictionary results

plau⋅si⋅ble

  [plaw-zuh-buhl]
Use plausibly in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible; believable: a plausible excuse; a plausible plot.
2. well-spoken and apparently, but often deceptively, worthy of confidence or trust: a plausible commentator.
Origin:
1535–45; < L plausibilis deserving applause, equiv. to plaus(us) (ptp. of plaudere to applaud ) + -ibilis -ible

Related forms:
plau⋅si⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, plau⋅si⋅ble⋅ness, noun
plau⋅si⋅bly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. Plausible, specious describe that which has the appearance of truth but might be deceptive. The person or thing that is plausible strikes the superficial judgment favorably; it may or may not be true: a plausible argument (one that cannot be verified or believed in entirely). Specious definitely implies deceit or falsehood; the surface appearances are quite different from what is beneath: a specious pretense of honesty; a specious argument (one deliberately deceptive, probably for selfish or evil purposes).

Antonyms:
1. honest, sincere.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To plausibly
plau·si·ble   (plô'zə-bəl)   
adj.  

  1. Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible: a plausible excuse.

  2. Giving a deceptive impression of truth or reliability.

  3. Disingenuously smooth; fast-talking: "Ambitious, unscrupulous, energetic, ... and plausible,—a political gladiator, ready for a 'set-to' in any crowd" (Frederick Douglass).


[Latin plausibilis, deserving applause, from plausus, past participle of plaudere, to applaud.]
plau'si·bil'i·ty, plau'si·ble·ness n., plau'si·bly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean appearing to merit belief or acceptance: a plausible pretext; a believable excuse; a colorable explanation; a credible assertion.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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