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Plausibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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plausibility

 

[ˌplɔːzəˈbɪlɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in reasoning

The quality of seeming reasonable or probable; credibility.

Synonyms

believability, credibility, likelihood, reasonableness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
plausibility

Use when discussing how something appears to be true or believable, often in contexts of theories, arguments, or explanations.

  • The plausibility of his theory was questioned by the scientific community
  • The detective was convinced by the plausibility of the suspect's alibi
credibility

Use in formal contexts to describe the trustworthiness or reliability of someone or something, often concerning sources of information or expert opinions.

  • The journalist's credibility was called into question after the false report
  • The expert's testimony added credibility to the case
believability

Use when referring to how convincing or likely something is, often in narrative, storytelling, or performance contexts.

  • The actress's believability in the role made the movie very engaging
  • The believability of the plot was compromised by inconsistent details
likelihood

Use when discussing the probability or chance of something happening, often in statistical or predictive contexts.

  • The likelihood of rain tomorrow is about 60%
  • Considering his experience, there is a high likelihood he will get the job
reasonableness

Use when discussing whether something is fair, sensible, or within the bounds of common sense, often in decision-making or ethical assessments.

  • The reasonableness of the company's new policy was debated among the employees
  • Her request for a refund was met with reasonableness by the manager

Examples of usage

  • It is difficult to assess the plausibility of his argument without more evidence.
  • The plausibility of the theory is still being debated among scientists.
Context #2 | Noun

in storytelling

The quality of appearing true or believable within the context of a story or narrative.

Synonyms

authenticity, believability, credibility, realism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
plausibility

Refers to the extent to which something seems reasonable or probable, more focused on logical consistency than evidence or authenticity.

  • The plausibility of the hypothesis made it worth exploring further.
  • His story had some plausibility, but lacked concrete details.
believability

Refers to how convincing or likely something seems to be true or real.

  • The believability of the plot twist added excitement to the movie.
  • His excuse for being late lacked believability.
credibility

Used to describe the trustworthiness or reliability of a source or a person, indicating that they can be believed.

  • The scientist's credibility was questioned after the scandal.
  • Her strong credentials gave her credibility in the field.
realism

Used to describe the quality of being lifelike or true to life, often in literature, art, or depictions of scenarios.

  • The painting's realism was so striking that it looked like a photograph.
  • The director's commitment to realism made the historical drama compelling.
authenticity

Used when referring to the genuineness or originality of something, showing it is real and not fake.

  • The authenticity of the antique vase was verified by experts.
  • Her storytelling has a sense of authenticity that captivates listeners.

Examples of usage

  • The plausibility of the plot twist was crucial to the success of the novel.
  • The writer focused on maintaining the plausibility of the characters' actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "plausibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 plausibilidade

🇮🇳 संभाव्यता

🇩🇪 Plausibilität

🇮🇩 kewajaran

🇺🇦 правдоподібність

🇵🇱 prawdopodobieństwo

🇯🇵 もっともらしさ

🇫🇷 plausibilité

🇪🇸 plausibilidad

🇹🇷 makuliyet

🇰🇷 그럴듯함

🇸🇦 مصداقية

🇨🇿 pravděpodobnost

🇸🇰 pravdepodobnosť

🇨🇳 合理性

🇸🇮 verjetnost

🇮🇸 trúverðugleiki

🇰🇿 ықтималдық

🇬🇪 სავარაუდოობა

🇦🇿 məntiqilik

🇲🇽 plausibilidad

Etymology

The word 'plausibility' originates from the Latin word 'plausibilis', which means deserving applause or approval. The concept of plausibility has been crucial in various fields such as philosophy, literature, and science, where the credibility and believability of arguments, stories, or theories play a significant role in their acceptance. Understanding the plausibility of an idea or narrative helps in evaluating its validity and impact on the audience.

See also: implausibility, implausible.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,949, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.