plausible
Adjective
Easy difficulty
What does “plausible” mean?
adjective.(of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable.
SAT Usage
the term is often found in passages discussing arguments, theories, or scientific claims, suggesting that a statement has a reasonable basis in logic or evidence. It emphasizes the likelihood of an assertion being accepted as true, distinguishing it from similar words like "possible," which lacks the same level of credibility or likelihood.
Common Confusions
Plausible implies a reasonable likelihood based on evidence, while possible usually suggests merely a chance of occurrence without the same level of credibility.
Do not choose plausible if the context emphasizes improbability or absurdity rather than seeming reasonable or probable.
Example Sentences
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Her explanation was plausible but not entirely convincing.