plausible — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; conceivably true or likely.

   Synonyms

   crediblebelievablereasonabletenablespecious

   Antonyms

   implausibleincredibleunbelievablefar-fetched

   Examples

   a plausible excuse

   More examples (1)

   In short, the twin assumptions that syntactic rules are category-based, and that there are a highly restricted finite set of categories in any natural language (perhaps no more than a dozen major categories), together with the assumption that the child either knows (innately) or learns (by experience) that all rules are structure-dependent ( =category-based), provide a highly plausible model of language acquisition, in which languages become learnable in a relatively short, finite period of time (a few years).

   Russian SPETSNAZ are irregular forces that operate covertly, providing the Russian government plausible deniability.

2. Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing; apparently right; specious.

   Examples

   a plausible pretext; plausible manners; a plausible delusion

3. Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable; ready.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   capable of receiving a plauſible Anſwer

   […] a coachman named Richard, who was described as a "sensible, well-behaved yellow boy, who is plausible and can read and write."

Adjective

1. apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing

   Antonyms

   implausible

   Examples

   a plausible excuse

2. given to or characterized by presenting specious arguments

   Examples

   a plausible liar