less credible

USAGE SUMMARY

"less credible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not believable or trustworthy. For example, "Due to not enough evidence, his story is becoming less credible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The case against Mr Walesa seemed even less credible.

The Economist

The eurozone crisis has made that position far less credible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arran is bountiful in other, less credible, ways.

The Guardian - Books

Some of Atkins's positive health claims are less credible.

The Guardian

When health workers smoke themselves they may also be less zealous and less credible.

The Economist

Quantitative easing will end when deflation is a less credible threat.

The Economist

What's more, the deeper the downturn, the less credible the cure".

The New York Times

Other more or less credible claims have followed, from international inspectors to Saddam-era dissidents.

The New York Times

One could argue that women are unavoidably less credible in these roles.

The New York Times

That he succumbs to fear in the final scene, however, seemed less credible.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately this makes her sudden collapse into madness and frailty less credible than it might be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less credible", ensure you provide context as to why something is perceived as such. For example, specify the evidence or reasoning that makes a claim "less credible".

Common error

Avoid using "less credible" when the subject is completely unbelievable or demonstrably false. In such cases, phrases like "implausible" or "false" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less credible" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify nouns or pronouns, indicating a diminished level of believability or trustworthiness. Ludwig shows it is frequently used across a variety of contexts to express doubt or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less credible" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a reduced level of believability or trustworthiness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you provide context as to why something is "less credible". Common alternatives include "less believable" and "less trustworthy". Avoid overstating the lack of credibility when the subject is demonstrably false; choose a more appropriate descriptor like "implausible" instead. Overall, "less credible" is a versatile phrase for indicating nuanced doubts about reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less believable

Focuses specifically on the believability aspect, implying something is harder to accept as true.

less trustworthy

Highlights the lack of trust associated with something, suggesting unreliability.

less convincing

Emphasizes the failure to persuade or convince someone of something.

less plausible

Indicates a reduction in apparent validity or likelihood.

less reliable

Focuses on the reduced dependability or consistency of something.

less authoritative

Suggests a decrease in the perceived authority or expertise.

less valid

Implies a reduction in the factual or logical soundness.

more dubious

Reverses the direction, highlighting an increase in doubt or suspicion.

less persuasive

Highlights the inability to convince the audience.

harder to swallow

Uses figurative language to emphasize how difficult it is to accept something.

FAQs

How can I use "less credible" in a sentence?

You can use "less credible" to describe information, sources, or arguments that appear less believable than others. For example: "The witness's testimony became "less credible" as inconsistencies emerged."

What are some alternatives to saying "less credible"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "less believable", "less trustworthy", or "less convincing" instead of "less credible".

When is it appropriate to use "less credible" versus "incredible"?

"Less credible" suggests a relative decrease in believability, while "incredible" implies something is almost impossible to believe. Use "less credible" when something is questionable but not entirely unbelievable.

Is "less credible" the same as "not credible"?

No, "less credible" implies a spectrum of believability, suggesting something is partially believable but questionable. "Not credible" indicates a complete lack of believability.