epäuskottavalta

Epäuskottava is a Finnish adjective meaning not credible, implausible, or unconvincing. It is used to describe claims, explanations, stories, or pieces of evidence that fail to withstand scrutiny. The term can also refer to the reliability of a source or to statements made by a person, signaling doubt about their truthfulness. In many contexts it carries a critical tone, but it does not imply intent to deceive; it mainly indicates lack of believability.

Etymologically, epäuskottava is formed from the prefix epä- meaning not and the root uskottava, from uskoa “to believe,” referring to something worthy of belief. The word inflects like other Finnish adjectives and appears in various case forms, for example epäuskottavalta in phrases such as “kuulostaa epäuskottavalta” (sounds unconvincing). The adverbial form is epäuskottavasti, used to describe the manner in which something is done.

Usage and nuance: common in journalism, analysis, and everyday speech, epäuskottava is typically applied to claims or narratives that seem unlikely or poorly supported. It can describe a single assertion, a broader argument, or even a source’s overall credibility. While often critical, the term does not necessarily accuse someone of deliberate deception; it emphasizes insufficient credibility or plausibility.

See also: epäuskottavuus (uncredibility), epäuskottava tarina (an unconvincing story), related terms such as epätoivoinen or epärealistinen, which convey other evaluative judgments.