implausible
Loading your saved state.
implausible
Not seeming believable or convincing; hard to believe.
Seine Entschuldigung, er habe den Wecker nicht gehört, klang nach dem dritten Mal unglaubwürdig.
His excuse that he hadn't heard the alarm clock sounded implausible after the third time.
untrustworthy
Referring to a person who is regarded as not trustworthy or unreliable.
Nachdem er mehrmals gelogen hatte, war der Zeuge für das Gericht unglaubwürdig.
After he had lied several times, the witness was untrustworthy in the eyes of the court.
The word can be broken down into three parts: the negation 'un-', the stem of the verb 'glauben' (to believe), and the ending '-würdig' (worthy of). So it literally means that something or someone is 'not worthy of being believed'.
Die Spezialeffekte im Film waren so schlecht, dass die ganze Handlung unglaubwürdig wirkte.
The special effects in the film were so bad that the whole plot seemed implausible.
You distinguish whether a thing or a person is 'unglaubwürdig' (implausible/untrustworthy). An 'unglaubwürdige Geschichte' (implausible story) is hard to believe. An 'unglaubwürdiger Zeuge' (untrustworthy witness) is a person you do not trust.
Seine Erklärung für die Verspätung klang unglaubwürdig.
His explanation for being late sounded implausible.
'Unglaubwürdig' (implausible) is often used to evaluate statements. Typical combinations are: 'eine unglaubwürdige Ausrede' (an implausible excuse), 'eine unglaubwürdige Geschichte' (an implausible story), or 'eine unglaubwürdige Erklärung' (an implausible explanation).
Er kam mit einer unglaubwürdigen Ausrede, warum er zu spät war.
He came up with an implausible excuse for why he was late.
An important expression is 'sich unglaubwürdig machen' (to make oneself lose credibility). It means that through one's own behavior, for example by lying or making contradictory statements, one causes others to no longer trust them.
Mit seinen ständigen Widersprüchen hat sich der Politiker selbst unglaubwürdig gemacht.
With his constant contradictions, the politician made himself lose credibility.
incredible
Unglaublich and unglaubwürdig can both be used for a claim that is difficult to believe. Unglaubwürdig judges it to be not credible or convincing. Unglaublich, by contrast, can also express astonishment at an extraordinary claim, even though it is actually true.
Sein Bericht über die Rettung klingt unglaubwürdig, weil er sich mehrfach widerspricht.
His account of the rescue sounds implausible because he contradicts himself several times.
Sein Bericht über die Rettung klingt unglaublich, ist aber durch Fotos belegt.
His account of the rescue sounds incredible, but photos prove it.
