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credible Definition

cred·ible (kred′ə bəl)

adjective

that can be believed; believable; reliable

Etymology: ME < L credibilis < credere: see creed

Related Forms:

credible Synonyms

credible

modif.

  1. Likely

    probable, believable, conceivable; see convincing 2, likely 1.

  2. Reliable

    trustworthy, dependable, sincere; see reliable 1, 2. See syn. study at specious.

credible Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • scarcely: Such intolerance is scarcely credible in the second half of the twentieth Century.
  • scientifically: In our opinion a study so narrowly based cannot of course be scientifically credible.
  • barely: This would be an extraordinary proposal in normal times; in today's context, it is barely credible.
  • remotely: They are in no position to judge whether Borat or his movie is remotely credible or fair.
  • hardly: It seems hardly credible that we are already more than two months into 2006!
  • highly: We're pleased to offer our services to such a highly credible interactive TV show.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: What sort of knowledge of Greek is needed to make Acts credible?

Modifies a noun

  • deterrent: Use the threat of US military action as a credible deterrent.
  • deterrence: But the Alliance's conventional forces alone cannot ensure credible deterrence.
  • contender: Its agreement with Vodafone to devise implementations of Web services standards makes Microsoft a more credible contender to provide infrastructure for wireless applications.
  • witness: He is the ultimate credible witness to present the tape to the waiting world, thus exposing a security agency run wild.
  • threat: Without a credible threat of force, Saddam will not disarm.
  • challenger: In 2006, we established ourselves to be the clear and credible challengers to Tory dominance in local politics.

Used with adjective complement

  • deem: The reason is because such an enterprise normally requires more planning and thus is deemed more credible.
  • seem: An author who seems quite credible may be utterly unreliable.
  • appear: The tourist threat is often couched in high sounding good intentions which may well appear credible even laudable to the average person.
  • remain: If the SNP is to remain credible, this is a challenge it will have to face eventually.
  • sound: To sound credible, you should believe in the authentic intentions of your client.
  • become: But America needs to look at a more serious aspect of its China policy which has becomes less credible with the passing of time.

Preposition: in

  • eye: These two concepts are not irreconcilable and one does not have to be impartial to be credible in the eyes of the disputants.