believably

USAGE SUMMARY

"believably" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb meaning "in a manner that is able to be believed; credible or convincing." Example sentence: The witness gave an believably account of the events.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was delivered in the form of a quote from an "insider", who claimed, only too believably, that Chris Martin "tells friends that there's no better way to find song inspiration than experiencing sexual chemistry with another human.

The Guardian - Film

So why have disaster movies in the last 20 years managed to make more believably aged couples than other blockbusters?

The Guardian - Film

Entirely believably, Mr Campbell confided that the person in his office who had perpetrated the error "felt wretched".

The Economist

And then, quite unlike everyone else: "If you like, you can come up and play with my guinea pig .It is a rare feat for a wildly successful author to come across as believably humble.

The Economist

He speaks with restraint — not only believably but also truly.

The Economist

The end of the Handa v. Ombal war, says Mr Diamond believably, stemmed from the need to build common electoral alliances in the face of an even greater threat from the neighbouring Huli peoples.The trouble is that Mr Wemp now says the story was untrue, and that he has never stolen a pig, raped a woman or killed anyone.

The Economist

It can make the young appear to age believably and the old appear to look young again.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are, it turns out, celebrating Dreyfus's last day of being "believably fuckable" by the powers that be in the entertainment industry.

Independent

Caldow's movement, snorts and twitches make the creature believably horsey.

Independent

Noting Murray's curious ability to be both very consistent in his performing style and yet believably different with each role, Griffiths by extension identifies him as an "anti-brand brand – a global superstar perceived as occupying the margins, the edges: he always seems impeccably sincere and authentic".

Independent

The original cast of Dad's Army Whereas in the originals the only romantic action was between Mavis Pike and Mr Wilson, and the eventide love that blossomed between Jones and the bosomy Mrs Fox – I can't count Mr Mainwaring's relationship with the unseen and fearsome Elizabeth – we now have Pike, and a believably frisky Wilson, being pursued by femme fatale Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believably" to strengthen your writing when you want to emphasize the credibility or plausibility of an action, statement, or character. It adds a layer of authenticity to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "believably" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler adverbs like "really" or "truly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "believably" primarily functions as a modifier, enhancing verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. It indicates the manner in which something is done or perceived, emphasizing its credibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage aligns with standard grammatical practices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believably" functions as an adverb that enhances the credibility of actions or statements. As analyzed, it is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While "believably" is quite common, consider using synonyms like "plausibly" or "credibly" for variety. Remember to use "believably" to emphasize authenticity while being cautious about overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plausibly

Focuses on the apparent truthfulness or reasonableness of something.

credibly

Emphasizes the quality of being believable or worthy of trust.

in a convincing manner

Highlights the effectiveness of persuading someone to believe something.

in a credible way

Stresses the trustworthiness and reliability of the presentation.

apparently

Suggests that something seems to be true based on available evidence.

ostensibly

Indicates that something is presented as true, though the reality may differ.

seemingly

Implies that something appears to be the case, without necessarily being so.

on the face of it

Highlights how something appears at first glance, possibly differing from deeper analysis.

to all appearances

Similar to "seemingly", focuses on outward indications.

so it seems

A more conversational way of expressing that something appears to be true.

FAQs

How can I use "believably" in a sentence?

"Believably" is an adverb, often used to modify verbs or adjectives. For example: "He acted the part "believably"" or "She portrayed the character "believably"."

What can I say instead of "believably"?

You can use alternatives like "plausibly", "credibly", or "convincingly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "believably" or "in a believable way"?

Both phrases are correct, but "believably" is more concise. "In a believable way" might be preferable when you want to add emphasis or vary your sentence structure.

What's the difference between "believably" and "probably"?

"Believably" indicates something is presented in a credible manner, while "probably" indicates a likelihood or high chance of something occurring. They are not interchangeable.