least implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing multiple options or scenarios, indicating that one is the most believable among those presented. Example: "Of the three theories proposed, the least implausible explanation for the phenomenon is the one that involves environmental factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Taxing remittances only by illegal immigrants would be, to say the least, implausible.

The New York Times

As anyone who has driven through Westchester County knows, the idea that the area around the Indian Point plant, in Buchanan, New York, could be safely evacuated after an accident is, to say the least, implausible.

The New Yorker

The cleverest climate contrarians settle on the least implausible argument – that equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS – how much a doubling of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase Earth's surface temperature) is low, meaning that the planet will warm relatively slowly in response to human carbon pollution.

The Guardian

An investigation of SETI signals from the 13 "least implausible Dyson sphere candidates" is planned for the Allen telescope.Any civilisation that has built a Dyson sphere will have to have been around for a long time, of course and in the very long run its star will start to change in unpleasant ways, ballooning to form a red giant.

The Economist

Under the least implausible scenario, the city's Conservative Party — a grouping that, until last week, backed term limits with almost as much fervor as it had tried to frustrate Giuliani's hopes for higher office — would shunt its current mayoral candidate off to run for a judicial post.

The New Yorker

Propositions (a) and (b) will be shown to be, at very least, implausible.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This is the class that presided over the city's artistic and charitable institutions at a time when it was still likely, or at least less implausible, to find people invested in the notions of noblesse oblige and an American aristocracy.

The New York Times

Watson's co-star Daniel Radcliffe had been attracting acclaim for his stage work, while it seemed that Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, would be the first to light up the sky, post-Potter: a news story claiming that Martin Scorsese had predicted great things for Grint turned out to be fabricated but, more importantly, not in the least bit implausible.

The Guardian - Film

An ABC News report in 2008 found that the DEA lost 91 weapons from 2002 to 2007, often in humiliating, or at least seemingly implausible, fashion.

Huffington Post

In that first week of heat and sweat and pain and postures my body argued were impossible (or at least very implausible, my instructor's comments that I must have done yoga in a former life notwithstanding), I discovered that the abrupt pause in my professional life, which I had viewed as a cruel purgatory, was actually an unexpected and welcome gift: the gift of time.

Huffington Post

Exploratory analyses using pedometer data from a subset of participants in this study who reported at least one implausible steps/day value suggest this may be true as differences between model coefficients using full and excluded datasets were magnified for waist circumference, %BF, and fat mass (but not for BMI) in this subset compared to the full set of participants (data not shown).

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple unlikely scenarios, use "least implausible" to pinpoint the option that demands the fewest assumptions or stretches of logic. This adds nuance to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "least implausible" when a more confident assertion is warranted. If a scenario is genuinely likely or well-supported, opt for phrases that convey certainty rather than mere reduced improbability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least implausible" functions as a superlative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it is the least unbelievable or most believable among a set of options. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples of the phrase in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "least implausible" serves as a nuanced way to identify the most believable option among a range of unlikely possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and used across news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, consider that while appropriate, don't overuse it: it should be used when a stronger, more affirmative phrase isn't fitting. Consider instead of saying something is the "least implausible" it may be better to say it's "most plausible" or "most likely" depending on the context. Remember the best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least unlikely

Mirrors the structure of the original phrase by negating unlikelihood, focusing on what is not improbable.

most plausible

Highlights the reasonableness and apparent truthfulness of an option, focusing on its surface-level believability.

most believable

Focuses on the quality of being easy to believe, implying that the option is convincing and trustworthy.

most credible

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of an option, shifting the focus from impossibility to reliability.

most likely

Indicates the highest probability of occurring or being true, focusing on statistical or predictive likelihood.

most reasonable

Implies the option is logical and sensible, emphasizing its alignment with common sense and rational thinking.

most tenable

Suggests the option is defensible and can be maintained against scrutiny, emphasizing its logical consistency.

most defensible

Highlights that the option can be justified and defended, emphasizing its ability to withstand criticism.

most supportable

Suggests that the option has the most evidence or arguments in its favor, emphasizing its groundedness.

weakest objection

Focuses on identifying the option that faces the fewest or least serious challenges, rather than emphasizing its probability.

FAQs

How can I use "least implausible" in a sentence?

You can use "least implausible" to describe the most believable option among several unlikely choices. For example, "Of all the conspiracy theories, the idea of a government cover-up seems the "least implausible"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "least implausible"?

Alternatives to "least implausible" include "most plausible", "most credible", or "most likely". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "least implausible" a formal or informal expression?

"Least implausible" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the overall tone and complexity of the writing than on the specific setting.

What's the difference between "least implausible" and "most plausible"?

While both phrases suggest a degree of believability, "least implausible" implies that all options are somewhat unlikely, but one is less so than the others. "Most plausible" suggests that one option is genuinely believable, without necessarily implying that all others are unlikely.