speciously
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a manner that is misleadingly attractive, plausible, or correct on the surface but actually false or invalid: Describes how something is presented or appears to be true or reasonable, while hiding its true deceptive nature.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- The argument was speciously constructed, using emotional appeals instead of facts.
- The product is speciously advertised as a miracle cure.
- He argued speciously that the rules did not apply to him.
Advanced Usage
- Used to critique reasoning or presentation: Often employed in formal, academic, or critical contexts to describe flawed logic, deceptive advertising, or insincere rhetoric that superficially seems sound.
- The policy was justified speciously, masking its harmful effects with noble-sounding language.
Variants and Related Words
- Specious (adjective): Having a false look of truth or genuineness; superficially plausible but actually wrong.
- a specious argument
- Speciousness (noun): The quality of being specious.
- the speciousness of the claim
Synonyms
- Deceptively: In a way that misleads or gives a false impression.
- Fallaciously: In a manner based on a mistaken belief or unsound reasoning.
- Plausibly but falsely: Seemingly reasonably, yet inaccurately.
Antonyms
- Genuinely: In a truthful and sincere manner.
- Validly: With a sound basis in logic or fact.
- Authentically: In a way that is real and not false.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A specious pretext: A false reason given to justify an action.
- He declined the invitation under a specious pretext of prior commitments.
- Specious reasoning: Reasoning that is logically unsound but appears correct.
- The essay was marked down for its reliance on specious reasoning.
Adverb
- in a specious manner