The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is Synonym.
The terms “plausible” and “believable” are considered synonyms because they share a core meaning related to credibility and the appearance of truth. Both words are used to describe something, such as a story, explanation, or argument, that is convincing and could reasonably be true.
To understand their relationship, let’s look at their definitions. “Plausible” means an argument or statement seems reasonable or probable. It has the ring of truth, even if it is not proven. For example, if a student says they were late because of a traffic jam, that is a plausible excuse. Similarly, “believable” means something is capable of being believed or is credible. In the same scenario, the student’s excuse about the traffic jam is also a believable one. In most contexts, these words can be used interchangeably without a significant change in meaning. A plausible theory is a believable theory; a believable alibi is a plausible alibi.
While they are strong synonyms, some might argue for a subtle difference in connotation. “Plausible” can sometimes lean more toward logical possibility and internal consistency, suggesting that something could happen in theory. “Believable” might focus more on the overall convincingness of a narrative to an audience, including its emotional resonance. However, this distinction is very fine and often overlooked in general use. For the purpose of classifying their relationship, the substantial overlap in their primary definitions makes them synonyms. They are not antonyms, as their meanings are aligned, not opposite. They are far too closely related in meaning to be considered unrelated or to be relegated to the weaker category of “related but not synonyms.” Their direct correspondence in meaning solidifies their status as synonyms.
