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Agency Dictionary

Plausible

adjectivePronunciation: /ˈplɔː.zə.bəl/

In Portuguese: Plausível

What does “Plausible” mean?

Seeming reasonable, probable, or worthy of belief based on available evidence and logical coherence.

Etymology

From Latin plausibilis, meaning deserving applause or praiseworthy, built on the stem of plaudere (to applaud). The Latin adjective referred to something worthy of approval, and the sense gradually shifted in English to mean apparently valid or credible, without implying that the claim is necessarily true.

Usage note

Plausible means that something appears credible or could reasonably be true, not that it is true. A plausible explanation may still turn out to be wrong.

Synonyms

  • credible
  • believable
  • reasonable
  • convincing
  • tenable

Often confused with

credible
Credible means worthy of being believed based on evidence or character; plausible means appearing reasonable or likely without necessarily being confirmed.

Word family

  • plausibility
  • implausible
  • plausibly
  • plausibleness

Usage examples

  • These are pretty much plausible motives as much as they are problems that can be solved through brainstorms.

Concepts

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Words of the same theme

Antithesisnoun
A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
autonomynoun
The condition or power of self-governance, independent decision-making, and freedom from external control.
Discursiveadjective
Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
Detachmentnoun
The state of being emotionally objective, aloof, or free from clingy psychological attachments to outcomes, possessions, or dogmas. In Eastern philosophy, it represents spiritual liberation.
aestheticsnoun
A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, artistic taste, and style.
Braverynoun
The moral quality or mental disposition that enables a person to encounter danger, difficulty, or acute pain with resolute courage, composure, and firmness of purpose.
constructnoun
A complex idea, mental framework, or artificial system deliberately built from simpler elements.
Treatisenoun
A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.

Also from these editions: terms

Characternoun
A metal block engraved with a letter used in letterpress printing, as well as the intrinsic moral quality and strength of a person.
Accuracynoun
The degree of precision, correctness, and exactitude with which a message or action reaches its intended mark.
Frequencynoun
The regular rate at which an event occurs or a message is transmitted over a designated period.
CPMnoun
An acronym for cost per mille, representing the advertising cost of delivering one thousand audience impressions.
Equationnoun
A complex statement or problem involving balancing multiple interdependent factors, variables, or meanings.
slogannoun
A memorable, catchy phrase used in marketing, politics, or advocacy to encapsulate a core message.
Undeniableadjective
Manifestly true, valid, or high in quality to the point where it cannot be disputed, overlooked, or questioned.
Matrixnoun
An enclosing medium, grid, or systemic web of cultural and algorithmic conventions that shapes perceptions.
Singularitynoun
The state, condition, or distinct quality of being singular, remarkable, and uniquely individual.
Hookahnoun
A traditional water pipe of Middle Eastern origin used for smoking specially prepared flavored tobacco.
narrativenoun
A spoken or written account of connected events, forming a coherent story or conceptual perspective.
Byproductnoun
A secondary, often unexpected result or incidental creation derived from an ongoing process or effort.

Also from these editions: concepts

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Cite this entry

“Plausible”. Agency Wiki, Agency Brasil. Published on November 10, 2026. https://www.agencybrasil.com/en/wiki/dictionary/plausible