plausible vs. possible

plausible vs. possible: What's the difference?

Plausible means believable or having an appearance of truth. Possible means a thing that may or could happen or be true. His story is plausible and his story is possible both mean that the story could have happened, but possible sometimes carries more connotations of doubt or unlikeliness, especially when used in contrast to plausible.

plausible

adjective

  1. having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible; believable.

    a plausible excuse; a plausible plot.

    Antonyms: sincere, honest

  2. well-spoken and apparently, but often deceptively, worthy of confidence or trust.

    a plausible commentator.

possible

adjective

  1. that may or can be, exist, happen, be done, be used, etc..

    a disease with no possible cure.

  2. that may be true or may be the case, as something concerning which one has no knowledge to the contrary.

    It is possible that he has already gone.