implausible
Meaning: Not seeming reasonable or probable; difficult to believe.
Implausible describes claims, explanations, scenarios, or narratives that strain credulity. It is a measured, somewhat diplomatic way of expressing disbelief — less blunt than 'unbelievable' and less absolute than 'impossible.' It is widely used in journalism, criticism, and everyday discussion. Common collocations include 'highly implausible,' 'implausible explanation,' 'implausible scenario,' and 'implausible denial.'
Examples
- The defendant's explanation of how he came to be in possession of the stolen goods was highly implausible. 被告对于自己如何持有赃物的解释极不可信。La explicación del acusado sobre cómo llegaron a su poder los bienes robados era altamente inverosímil.盗品をどのようにして入手したかについての被告の説明は、非常に信じがたいものであった。도난품을 어떻게 소지하게 되었는지에 대한 피고인의 설명은 매우 신빙성이 없었다.
- The film's plot grew increasingly implausible as it lurched from one unlikely coincidence to the next. 电影的情节在从一个不太可能的巧合转向另一个的过程中变得越来越不可信。La trama de la película se volvía cada vez más inverosímil a medida que se sucedían las coincidencias improbables.映画の筋書きは、あり得ない偶然の一致が次々と続くにつれて、ますます信じがたいものになっていった。영화의 줄거리는 있을 법하지 않은 우연의 일치가 연달아 이어지면서 점점 더 믿기 어려워졌다.
- It would be implausible to suggest that such a far-reaching policy change occurred without the minister's knowledge. 如果说如此深远的政策变化是在部长不知情的情况下发生的,那是不可信的。Sería inverosímil sugerir que un cambio de política de tal alcance se produjo sin el conocimiento del ministro.これほど広範な政策変更が大臣の知らないところで行われたと主張するのは、信じがたいことである。이토록 광범위한 정책 변경이 장관이 모르는 사이에 이루어졌다고 주장하는 것은 믿기 어려운 일이다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, academic, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin 'implausibilis,' from 'in-' (not) and 'plausibilis' (deserving applause, acceptable), from 'plaudere' (to applaud or clap). The sense of not worthy of belief entered English in the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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