implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that appears to be unlikely to be true or possible. For example: "The implausible story the witness gave to the police raised many doubts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is implausible.

The Economist

This seems implausible.

The New York Times

But that is implausible.

The Economist

That seems implausible.

The Economist

The Telegraph's reviewer was less keen, dubbing it "implausible and grandiose".

The Guardian

But many in the energy sector take the view that energy demand will continue to rise, and that the targets to phase out fossil fuels by 2050 appear implausible.

The Guardian

When Jane Grigson did her delightful last series Slow Down, Fast Food, we photographed a gigantic hamburger with an implausible bite taken out of it, our tasteful riposte to the cigarette-stubbed-out-in-the-fried-egg school of lurid food photography.

The Guardian

In his statement to the Guardian, Burgum called the account given by the fireman and apparently supported by the IPCC investigation "implausible in the extreme".

The Guardian

In order to provide breathing space between the disaster set pieces, Stone is provided with a saccharine, implausible backstory full of sledgehammer symbolism.

The Guardian - Film

"I find equally implausible the Labour critique that the BBC is too rightwing.

The Guardian

Logically it would seem implausible that anyone working at a bank needing a taxpayer bailout could be entitled to a bonus.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implausible", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the subject is unlikely or unbelievable. Provide supporting evidence or reasoning to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "implausible" simply as a synonym for 'unlikely'. Provide context or evidence to support why something is considered difficult to believe, rather than merely stating it.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "implausible" primarily functions to qualify a noun or noun phrase, indicating that something appears unlikely or difficult to believe. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts, aligning with its dictionary definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "implausible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective to describe something unlikely or hard to believe. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's primarily found in news and media, expressing doubt or skepticism. Remember to provide context when using this word to enhance its impact. Be sure not to overuse it without giving proper reasoning. Alternatives like "unlikely" or "doubtful" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely

Emphasizes a low probability of occurrence or truth.

doubtful

Suggests uncertainty or skepticism about the truth or possibility.

questionable

Highlights that something is open to doubt or dispute.

dubious

Implies suspicion or hesitation about something.

far-fetched

Indicates a lack of realism or credibility.

unconvincing

Suggests a failure to persuade or inspire belief.

incredible

Emphasizes that something is difficult to believe.

preposterous

Suggests something is utterly absurd or ridiculous.

ludicrous

Highlights the ridiculous or laughable nature of something.

untenable

Indicates that a position or argument cannot be defended.

FAQs

How can I use "implausible" in a sentence?

Use "implausible" to describe something that seems unlikely or difficult to believe. For instance, "His excuse for being late was "highly implausible"".

What are some alternatives to "implausible"?

You can use alternatives like "unlikely", "doubtful", or "questionable" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "implausible"?

Use "implausible" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief or suggest that something is not credible based on the available information. It's suitable when something seems "hard to believe".

What's the difference between "implausible" and "impossible"?

"Implausible" means unlikely or hard to believe, whereas "impossible" means not capable of happening or being done. "Implausible" suggests a low probability, while "impossible" suggests no possibility.