credible

Credible (krd-b'l), a.

Etymology: [L. credibilis, fr. credere. See Creed.]

Capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entiled to confidence; trustworthy. Things are made credible either by the known condition and quality of the utterer or by the manifest likelihood of truth in themselves. Hooker. A very diligent and observing person, and likewise very sober and credible. Dampier.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for credible; he lists it under likely.

Where he writes about it:

Credible signifies readily to be believed; as, a credible narrative; likely in such connection is used ironically to signify the reverse; as, a likely story! — from likely

Synonyms

likely apt conceivable conjectural liable presumable probable reasonable

Antonyms

doubtful dubious improbable incredible questionable unlikely unreasonable

etymology Webster’s online