verisimilar
UK: ˌvɛrɪˈsɪmɪlə | US: ˌvɛrɪˈsɪmɪlər
adj. appearing to be true or real; having the appearance of truth.
The word "verisimilar" combines the Latin root veri- (from verus, meaning "true") with similar (from Latin similis, meaning "like" or "resembling"). It entered English in the early 17th century, originally used in rhetoric and philosophy to describe statements or narratives that convincingly mimic truth. The fusion reflects a logical progression: veri- anchors the concept in truth, while -similar adds the nuance of approximation, creating a term for things that are "truth-like" without necessarily being true.
The novel's verisimilar details made the fictional world feel eerily real.
His alibi was verisimilar but collapsed under scrutiny.
A good historical drama balances verisimilar dialogue with artistic license.
The witness gave a verisimilar account, though key facts were later disproven.
Virtual reality aims to create verisimilar experiences that blur the line with reality.