seem implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem implausible" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing doubt about the likelihood or credibility of a statement or situation. Example: "His explanation seemed implausible given the evidence." Alternative expressions include "appear unlikely" and "seem improbable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the proposed bill doesn't call for such a ban, it would seem implausible that Usada won't press for it.

The New York Times - Sports

Some seem implausible to outsiders, but less so in the opaque, cynical world of Russian politics.

The Economist

I can't predict what's going to happen, but it doesn't seem implausible".

The New Yorker

Projects that seem implausible or overambitious tend not to secure enough pledges to go ahead.

The Economist

"There's a lot of things that quite frankly don't add up or seem implausible.

The Washington Post

To pose as a Chaplinesque "little man" might seem implausible in one so celebrated (and tall).

The Guardian

Some of these things may seem implausible, but there are already worrying signs.

The Guardian - Tech

With such a large congregation, 1,500 families, such a connection may seem implausible.

The New York Times

And if the Channel has been such a barrier, durable bonds across the Atlantic seem implausible.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the uppermost echelons of India's social hierarchy, this thesis didn't seem implausible.

The Guardian

It was impossible to verify the Taliban leader's account, though at the time it didn't seem implausible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with evidence-based reasoning, as seen in many scientific and journalistic examples provided by Ludwig.

Common error

Avoid using "seem implausible" when a situation is logically or physically impossible. "Implausible" suggests something is hard to believe but technically possible, whereas "impossible" means it cannot happen. Using the former for the latter can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem implausible" acts as a predicative adjective phrase where "seem" functions as a copular (linking) verb. This structure is used to attribute a quality—in this case, a lack of credibility—to the subject of the sentence. Ludwig AI indicates this is a standard and correct grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "seem implausible" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for expressing skepticism. Ludwig AI shows that it is favored by elite journalistic and scientific sources to denote that a situation or claim lacks credibility despite not being strictly impossible. It is a more sophisticated choice than "<a href="/s/seem+fake" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seem fake" or "<a href="/s/be+wrong" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be wrong". Writers should use it when they want to maintain a professional distance from a claim while clearly signaling their doubt. It is most frequently found in complex sentences that weigh evidence or analyze theories, making it a powerful tool for academic and editorial writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear unlikely

Uses a different linking verb to suggest a visual or superficial assessment

seem improbable

Replaces the adjective with a near-synonym that focuses more on statistical likelihood

seem questionable

Suggests that the matter requires further investigation or is open to dispute

lack credibility

A more formal, noun-based construction often used in legal or academic contexts

sound far-fetched

Uses an idiomatic adjective that implies a greater degree of exaggeration or absurdity

look dubious

Shifts the focus to the suspicious nature of the evidence or claim

ring untrue

An idiomatic expression suggesting the claim does not sound honest or authentic

be unbelievable

A stronger, more definitive expression of total disbelief

defy belief

A much stronger phrase implying that the situation exceeds the limits of what is credible

feel incredible

Uses a sensory verb and an adjective that can sometimes have a positive connotation

FAQs

How to use "seem implausible" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a theory or claim that is difficult to believe, such as "His explanation for the missing funds <a href="/s/seem+implausible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seem implausible given the digital trail."

What can I say instead of "seem implausible"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/appear+unlikely" target="_blank" rel="alternative">appear unlikely", "<a href="/s/seem+improbable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seem improbable" or "<a href="/s/sound+far-fetched" target="_blank" rel="alternative">sound far-fetched" depending on the desired intensity.

Which is correct, "seem implausible" or "seem implausibly"?

"<a href="/s/seem+implausible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seem implausible" is the correct form because "seem" is a linking verb that requires an adjective rather than an adverb to describe the subject.

What is the difference between "seem implausible" and "<a href="/s/be+impossible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be impossible"?

"<a href="/s/seem+implausible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seem implausible" indicates that something is highly unlikely or difficult to credit, while "<a href="/s/be+impossible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be impossible" means it is completely incapable of happening.