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Srdjan Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

explanation: plausible

hi people,

hope you can help with this one.

i have found in an online dictionary the meaning of "plausible":

plausible (adj)
1. --> Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible: a plausible excuse.
2. ---> Giving a deceptive impression of truth or reliability.

Don't the meanings oppose each other ?
could you come up with some examples and explanations ?

srdjee
  

Top answer

It's an interesting question. The word has the meaning of appearing to be true and believable . Since appearances can be deceptive, plausible can be used, in certain contexts, to cause doubt as to whether something that is posed or presented as true is actually true.

— Davkett

  • It's an interesting question.
  • The word has the meaning of appearing to be true and believable .
  • Since appearances can be deceptive, plausible can be used, in certain contexts, to cause doubt as to whether something that is posed or presented as true is actually true.
  • A plausible excuse, in the deceptive sense, is one that is given because it can be readily believed for its internal logic or on the basis of the specificity or relevance of its details, but, in reality is untrue given the actual facts of the matter.
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10 Answers
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It's an interesting question. The word has the meaning of appearing to be true and believable. Since appearances can be deceptive, plausible can be used, in certain contexts, to cause doubt as to whether something that is posed or presented as true is actually true. A plausible excuse, in the deceptive sense, is one that is given because it can be readily believed for its i
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It is an interesting question. I tend to agree with Davkett; it seems to me that the two definitions are complementary, rather than "opposed".

Let's say I invite MrZ to a party, to celebrate my engagement to the renowned belly-dancer MissQ.

An hour before the party is due to start, MrZ calls me and says: "I'm sorry, MrP; but I can't come to your party after all. I have to
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Always good when it comes out of your hat:
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both MrP and Dave a big thanks,

I think MrP has got it all right. Dave also has a good feel for it.

If "plausible" is used in a context to give an explanation, excuse, decribe scientific method (often found), has a meaning of being credible, sensible and most likely to be true, as in the MrP's example.

Describing a person, "plausible" usually has a disapproving meani
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PS: In the second sense, you may encounter the phrase "a plausible villain". It's mostly used humorously now.

MrP

PS² Thanks for the new hat, Davkett! I hope there aren't too many pigeons in the aread...
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MrPedantic I hope there aren't too many pigeons in the area...

The sky's clear for now, MrP...
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Folon just died, you know...
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PieanneFolon just died, you know...

I thought it was Rene Magritte...
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I think Folon was also interested in bowler hats, but I may be wrong...

EDIT: you're right, I was wrong! Emotion: sad (I should learn t
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