far-fetched

USAGE SUMMARY

"far-fetched" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an idea, plan, etc. that seems unlikely to succeed or to be true. Example: His excuse for being late seemed far-fetched; I couldn't believe it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed far-fetched.

The New York Times

This seems far-fetched.

The Economist

— ridiculously far-fetched.

The New York Times

Far-fetched, maybe.

The Economist

That's probably far-fetched.

The New York Times

This seemed far-fetched.

The Economist

Sound far-fetched?

The New York Times - Travel

Far-fetched, perhaps.

The Economist

That is far-fetched.

The New York Times

That seems far-fetched.

The Economist

Their directive was far-fetched.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far-fetched" when you want to express that an idea or suggestion is unrealistic and unlikely to happen.

Common error

While "far-fetched" is widely understood, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise synonyms like "implausible" or "unsubstantiated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far-fetched" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something as improbable, unconvincing, or difficult to believe. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is common and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "far-fetched" is a commonly used adjective to describe something that is unlikely or difficult to believe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, "far-fetched" serves to express skepticism or disbelief. While synonyms like "implausible" or "doubtful" exist, "far-fetched" carries a somewhat informal tone. Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing the most appropriate word. Be cautious of overusing it in highly formal writing, where more precise terms may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implausible

Focuses on the lack of believability.

unconvincing

Emphasizes the failure to persuade.

hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true.

doubtful

Suggests uncertainty about the truth or validity.

questionable

Implies that something is open to doubt or dispute.

dubious

Similar to questionable, but with a stronger sense of disbelief.

unlikely

Indicates a low probability of occurring or being true.

improbable

Suggests that something is not likely to happen.

fantastic

Highlights the unbelievable or outlandish nature of something.

outlandish

Emphasizes the bizarre or unconventional quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "far-fetched" in a sentence?

You can use "far-fetched" to describe ideas, plans, or stories that seem unlikely or unrealistic. For example, "His excuse for being late seemed "far-fetched"; I couldn't believe it".

What's a less common synonym for "far-fetched"?

While there are many synonyms for "far-fetched", a less common but equally suitable alternative is "implausible". This word also suggests a lack of believability.

Is it always negative to call something "far-fetched"?

Yes, calling something "far-fetched" typically carries a negative connotation, implying that the idea or suggestion is unrealistic and not worth serious consideration. However, it can also be used humorously to describe an absurd or silly idea.

What's the difference between "far-fetched" and "unlikely"?

While both words suggest a low probability, "far-fetched" implies a greater degree of improbability and often suggests that the idea is also somewhat ridiculous or outlandish. "Unlikely" simply means that something is not expected to happen.