credibly
gb/kɹˈɛdɪbli/ us/kɹˈɛdɪbli/
C1
English
hihetően, reálisan, hitelesen, meggyőzően
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] can/cannot credibly [verb] (that) [clause]
He cannot credibly claim he didn’t know about the policy change.
Nem állíthatja hihetően, hogy nem tudott a szabályzat változásáról.
The forecast suggests temperatures could credibly reach 40°C this weekend.
Az előrejelzés szerint ezen a hétvégén a hőmérséklet reálisan elérheti a 40 °C-ot.
Without receipts, the expenses cannot credibly be verified.
Learner examples
She cannot credibly say she was there.
Nem mondhatja hihetően, hogy ott volt.
It could credibly happen again.
Ez reálisan újra megtörténhet.
Common mistake:
Often confused with "creditably" (meaning "in a way that deserves praise") or with "incredibly" (meaning "extremely" or "hard to believe").
Meaning
in a plausible, reasonable way
Collocations
credibly claim
|credibly argue
|credibly deny
|credibly suggest
|credibly maintain
|credibly assert
|could credibly happen
|cannot credibly be explained
|credibly be said to
|credibly be described as
Synonyms
plausibly (Focuses on being possible and reasonable.)
|
reasonably (Often implies a fair, sensible judgment.)
Antonyms
implausibly (Suggests something does not seem possible or likely.)
|
dubiously (Emphasizes doubt or questionable reliability.)
Themes
reasoning
|communication
|news_media
Definition
in a way that seems reasonable and possible
In a way that seems possible, reasonable, or consistent with the available facts.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
credibly [describe/explain/tell] [something]
She credibly explained why the deadline had been missed.
Hihetően elmagyarázta, miért nem sikerült tartani a határidőt.
The documentary credibly reconstructs the events leading up to the storm.
A dokumentumfilm hitelesen rekonstruálja a vihart megelőző eseményeket.
He credibly described the suspect’s clothing and height.
Learner examples
He credibly explained his mistake.
Hihetően elmagyarázta a hibáját.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where simple "clearly" is meant; "credibly" is about being believable, not just easy to understand.
Meaning
in a believable, true-seeming way
Collocations
credibly explain
|credibly describe
|credibly portray
|credibly depict
|credibly recreate
|credibly present
|credibly answer
|credibly account for
Synonyms
believably (Directly emphasizes seeming true.)
|
convincingly (Adds the idea of persuading the listener or viewer.)
Antonyms
unbelievably (Suggests something is hard to accept as true.)
|
unconvincingly (Implies the attempt to make it seem true fails.)
Themes
communication
|storytelling
Definition
in a way that people can believe
In a way that makes something seem true or real, especially an account, explanation, or description.
C1
FORMAL
3
meggyőzően
B2
Usage pattern:
credibly [demonstrate/show] (that) [clause]
The company credibly demonstrated that demand was rising.
A vállalat meggyőzően kimutatta, hogy nőtt a kereslet.
She credibly challenged the assumption that the results were random.
Meggyőzően megkérdőjelezte azt a feltevést, hogy az eredmények véletlenszerűek voltak.
The report credibly supports the case for investing in public transit.
Learner examples
The data credibly supports his idea.
Az adatok meggyőzően alátámasztják az elképzelését.
Common mistake:
In academic writing, "credibly" usually needs evidence; avoid using it to mean just "confidently."
Meaning
in a convincing, persuasive way
Collocations
credibly demonstrate
|credibly show
|credibly establish
|credibly support
|credibly challenge
|credibly defend
|credibly justify
|credibly refute
Synonyms
persuasively (Highlights the effect on the audience.)
|
compellingly (Suggests strong impact, often emotional as well as logical.)
Antonyms
unpersuasively (Fails to influence opinions.)
|
weakly (Suggests insufficient support or force.)
Themes
reasoning
|business
|communication
Definition
in a way that makes people agree
In a way that persuades people by seeming well supported or effective.
C1
FORMAL
4
hitelesen
B2
Usage pattern:
speak/write credibly about [topic]
She can speak credibly about cybersecurity because she’s worked in the field for years.
Hitelesen tud beszélni a kiberbiztonságról, mert évek óta ezen a területen dolgozik.
To lead the project, you need to present yourself credibly to the client.
Ahhoz, hogy vezesd a projektet, hitelesen kell fellépned az ügyfél előtt.
The spokesperson answered calmly and credibly.
Learner examples
He speaks credibly about medicine.
Hitelesen beszél az orvoslásról.
Common mistake:
Not the same as "confidently"; you can speak confidently without being credible.
Meaning
with authority and trustworthiness
Collocations
speak credibly
|write credibly
|comment credibly
|credibly inform
|credibly advise
|credibly present oneself
|credibly position oneself
|credibly represent
Synonyms
reliably (Stresses dependability rather than authority.)
|
authoritatively (Stresses expert status and command of the topic.)
Antonyms
unreliably (Not dependable or trustworthy.)
|
inexpertly (Lacking the skill or knowledge needed to be trusted.)
Themes
trust
|communication
|work
Definition
in a way that people trust because you know the subject
In a way that shows or relies on credibility, especially through expertise, integrity, or reliable sources.
Grammar
Dictionary form
credibly
IPA
GB/kɹˈɛdɪbli/
US/kɹˈɛdɪbli/
Syllables & stress
cred - ibly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cred)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: credibly
- Plural: crediblies
Word family
Forms
crediblies
noun
Core family
credible
adjective B2
credibility
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
incredible
adjective B1
incredibly
adverb A2
Advanced or less common
credulous
adjective
incredulous
adjective
Expressions
cannot credibly claim (that) ...
1/kænˈɑt kɹˈɛdɪbli klˈeɪm ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
formal
cannot reasonably say something is true
it is not believable for someone to say this
Examples
- You cannot credibly claim to be surprised if you ignored every warning.
- The company cannot credibly claim it didn’t know the risks.
- He cannot credibly claim he wrote the report alone.
Learner examples
- She cannot credibly claim she forgot.
credibly accused of ...
1/kɹˈɛdɪbli əkjˈuzd əv |/
fixed phrase
formal
accused with believable supporting evidence
accused in a way that seems true
Examples
- The official has been credibly accused of taking bribes.
- Two guards were credibly accused of assaulting prisoners.
- She resigned after being credibly accused of plagiarism.
credibly alleged
1/kɹˈɛdɪbli əlˈɛd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
formal
claimed with believable supporting evidence
people say it happened, and the claim seems believable
Examples
- It is credibly alleged that the funds were diverted to private accounts.
- The abuse was credibly alleged in multiple witness statements.
- Several incidents were credibly alleged but not confirmed.
credibly reported
1/kɹˈɛdɪbli ɹɪpˈɔɹtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
reported by trustworthy sources
reported by sources that people trust
Examples
- It is credibly reported that the merger talks have resumed.
- The incident was credibly reported by several local outlets.
- It was credibly reported that the CEO planned to step down.
Learner examples
- It is credibly reported that prices will rise.