implausibilities
Hard to believe
Implausibilities are things that seem unlikely to be true or real.
The word often appears in discussions of fiction, arguments, or explanations that strain credulity: The plot was riddled with implausibilities.
What counts as implausible depends on context—a talking animal is an implausibility in a courtroom drama but not in a fairy tale.
Unconvincingly unlikely or strained
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unbelievableImpossible to accept as true
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
- improbableNot likely true
unthinkable · doubtful · questionable · unconvincing · dubious · tenuous · unlikely · remote
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- incredulityInability to accept something
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
scrutiny · debunking · challenge · criticism · dismissal · rejection · eyebrow-raising · second-guessing
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
- distortionTwisting from original state
inflation · amplification · fabrication · overreach · sensationalism · dramatization · absurdities · whoppers
Cleverly invented devices
- coincidencesUnplanned corresponding occurrences
- handwavingSuperficial explanation avoiding rigor
- inconsistenciesFailures to align
- anachronismsThings misplaced in time
far-fetched
Unconvincingly unlikely or strained
- inconceivableBeyond mental grasp
- unbelievableImpossible to accept as true
- preposterousCompletely contrary to reason
improbable · unthinkable · doubtful · questionable · unconvincing · dubious · tenuous · unlikely · remote · slim
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- incredulityInability to accept something
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
questioning · scrutiny · debunking · challenge · criticism · dismissal · rejection · eyebrow-raising · second-guessing · distrust
hyperbole
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
distortion · inflation · amplification · fabrication · overreach · sensationalism · dramatization · absurdities · whoppers
contrivances
Cleverly invented devices
- coincidencesUnplanned corresponding occurrences
- handwavingSuperficial explanation avoiding rigor
- inconsistenciesFailures to align
implausibilitiesplausibilities
States of seeming believable
certainties · likelihoods · probabilities · credibilities · believabilities
implausibility, implausible, implausibly, plausible, plausibly, plausibility, plausibilities, applaud, applause