unplausibleadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈplɔːzᵻbl/, U.S. /ˌənˈplɔzəb(ə)l/, /ˌənˈplɑzəb(ə)l/ Not plausible.† 1. Unacceptable, disagreeable; unpopular. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > unpopularity > [adjective]
unplausible1563
unpopular1614
impopular1721
welcomeless1838
non-popular1860
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > dispraise or discommendation > [adjective] > worthy of dispraise > not praiseworthy
unpraisable?c1475
uncommendable1509
incommendable?1518
unlovablea1525
unlaudable1535
unplausible1563
unpraiseworthy1587
illaudable1589
unlucky1628
inextollible1772
unrecommendable1830
1563 G. Hay Confut. Abbote of Crosraguels Masse 2 The argument I knowe to be vnplausible & odious till a great noumbre, and they not of the lawest sorte.
1575 G. Fenton Golden Epist. f. 133 I will..vse the authoritie of credible writers, hoping it shall not be the lesse agreable to your Maiestie, nor the more vnplausible to the reader.
1604 F. Bacon Apol. in Wks. (1879) I. 436 This proceeding..was a thing towards the people very unplausible.
1627 P. Hay Advt. Subj. Scotl. 91 It is a Subject vnplausable to treat of in this Tyme, by anie, who would speake vprightlie.
1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa iii. iii. 326 No body will rob himself..of his hopes..for an unplausable person [It. per soggetto di eccettioni].
2. Implausible, unlikely, improbable; apparently untrue.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > improbability, unlikeliness > [adjective] > unconvincing
unplausible1637
unsatisfactory1637
unpersuasive1651
unsatisfying1656
unconvincing1659
implausiblea1677
dowf1786
1637 J. Milton Comus 6 Wel plac't words of glozing courtesie Baited with reasons not unplausible Wind me into the easie hearted man, And hug him into snares.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1686) III. 531 We never..should..embrace his institution, consisting of such unplausible Propositions, and precepts.
1757 D. Hume Hist. Great Brit. II. 198 He must have had some reasons, and perhaps not unplausible ones, for this affirmation.
1799 C. B. Brown Ormond ix. 103 Her scheme, which was by no means unplausible, was thus compleatly frustrated.
1860 J. S. Mill Lett. (1910) I. 236 Nothing can be at first sight more entirely unplausible than his theory.
1891 F. W. Newman Early Hist. Cdl. Newman 47 Your assumption is to me arbitrary and unplausible.
1933 E. E. Stoll Art & Artifice in Shakespeare v. 118 How much more acceptable is this madness as a ruse, though..unplausible, than a madness half or wholly real.
1983 Yoga Jrnl. May 24/3 I very much doubt whether most religious people really believe in their religion; it has become unplausible.
2005 Law & Philos. 24 633 It strikes me as quite unplausible that he should be deemed to have murdered Gilmore.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1563