credibly
gb/kɹˈɛdɪbli/ us/kɹˈɛdɪbli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a plausible, reasonable way
in a way that seems reasonable and possible
Usage pattern:
[someone] can/cannot credibly [verb] (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Often confused with "creditably" (meaning "in a way that deserves praise") or with "incredibly" (meaning "extremely" or "hard to believe").
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.)
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
Themes
reasoning
|communication
|news_media
Examples
- He cannot credibly claim he didn’t know about the policy change.
- The forecast suggests temperatures could credibly reach 40°C this weekend.
- Without receipts, the expenses cannot credibly be verified.
Learner examples
- She cannot credibly say she was there.
- It could credibly happen again.
adverb
C1
property
2
in a believable, true-seeming way
in a way that people can believe
Usage pattern:
credibly [describe/explain/tell] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where simple "clearly" is meant; "credibly" is about being believable, not just easy to understand.
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.)
Collocations
credibly explain
|credibly describe
|credibly portray
|credibly depict
|credibly recreate
|credibly present
|credibly answer
|credibly account for
Themes
communication
|storytelling
Examples
- She credibly explained why the deadline had been missed.
- The documentary credibly reconstructs the events leading up to the storm.
- He credibly described the suspect’s clothing and height.
Learner examples
- He credibly explained his mistake.
adverb
formal
C1
property
3
in a convincing, persuasive way
in a way that makes people agree
Usage pattern:
credibly [demonstrate/show] (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
In academic writing, "credibly" usually needs evidence; avoid using it to mean just "confidently."
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.)
Collocations
credibly demonstrate
|credibly show
|credibly establish
|credibly support
|credibly challenge
|credibly defend
|credibly justify
|credibly refute
Themes
reasoning
|business
|communication
Examples
- The company credibly demonstrated that demand was rising.
- She credibly challenged the assumption that the results were random.
- The report credibly supports the case for investing in public transit.
Learner examples
- The data credibly supports his idea.
adverb
formal
C1
property
4
with authority and trustworthiness
in a way that people trust because you know the subject
Usage pattern:
speak/write credibly about [topic]
Common mistake:
Not the same as "confidently"; you can speak confidently without being credible.
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.)
Collocations
speak credibly
|write credibly
|comment credibly
|credibly inform
|credibly advise
|credibly present oneself
|credibly position oneself
|credibly represent
Themes
trust
|communication
|work
Examples
- She can speak credibly about cybersecurity because she’s worked in the field for years.
- To lead the project, you need to present yourself credibly to the client.
- The spokesperson answered calmly and credibly.
Learner examples
- He speaks credibly about medicine.
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.
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.