disbelievable
Strains one's credulity
Disbelievable describes something difficult or impossible to believe—the opposite of believable.
The word appears occasionally but remains uncommon; *unbelievable* dominates in most contexts.
The witness's account was so contradictory as to be disbelievable.
Where *unbelievable* has drifted toward expressing amazement or emphasis, *disbelievable* retains a stricter sense of warranting skepticism.
Unconvincingly unlikely or strained
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
- absurdWildly illogical
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
- fantasticalExtravagantly unreal or imaginary
inconceivable · outrageous · ludicrous · ridiculous · unconvincing · implausible · untenable · improbable
Uncertain of truth
- debatableOpen to question
- uncertainNot firmly known
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- dubitableAble to be questioned
disputable · contestable · challengeable · controvertible · unverifiable · unsubstantiated · uncorroborated · unsupported
Causing false beliefs
- falseNot matching reality
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
- dishonestInclined to deceive
deceitful · fraudulent · bogus · phony · fake · counterfeit · spurious · concocted
far-fetched
Unconvincingly unlikely or strained
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
- absurdWildly illogical
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
fantastical · inconceivable · outrageous · ludicrous · ridiculous · unconvincing · implausible · untenable · improbable · dubious
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
dubitable · disputable · contestable · challengeable · controvertible · unverifiable · unsubstantiated · uncorroborated · unsupported · unfounded
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- falseNot matching reality
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
dishonest · deceitful · fraudulent · bogus · phony · fake · counterfeit · spurious · concocted · invented
disbelievablebelievable
Able to convince
credible · plausible · convincing · trustworthy · reliable
belief, believe, incredible, credible, unbelievable, believer, disbelief, credibility, believable