specious
Seemingly well-reasoned, plausible or true, but actually fallaciousSeemingly well-reasoned, plausible or true, but actually fallacious.
» Tom's arguments are entirely specious.
Meaning
4 sensesSeemingly well-reasoned, plausible or true, but actually fallacious.
This idea that we must see through what we have started is specious, however good it may sound.
vordergründig, fadenscheinig, unfundiert
plausible but false
Employing fallacious but deceptively plausible arguments; deceitful.
Having an attractive appearance intended to generate a favorable response; deceptively attractive.
Schein-, vorgeschoben, fadenscheinig
(obsolete)Beautiful, pleasing to look at.
based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
Examples
3 sentencesTom's arguments are entirely specious.
Residents said the bill would open the door to specious accusations against dissidents, religious figures, businessmen and others.
That's specious reasoning.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 2
Origin
From Middle English speciose, specious, from Anglo-Norman specious, Middle French specieuxFrom Middle English speciose, specious, from Anglo-Norman specious, Middle French specieux, and their etymon Latin speciōsus (“good-looking”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
more specious, most specious| Comparative | more specious Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most specious Lesson |
regular
Synonyms
6 synonyms- plausible but false:spurious
- based on pretense; deceptively pleasing:gildedmeretriciousglossy
Word family
5 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form