unconvincing

/'ʌnkən'vinsiɳ/

Thân thiện

The witness gave an unconvincing explanation to the police.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not capable of persuading or causing belief: Describes something that fails to make an argument, explanation, or appearance seem true or acceptable.
   • Lacking the power to prove or demonstrate effectively: Indicates that evidence, reasoning, or a performance is weak, implausible, or fails to remove doubt.

Usage

• The adjective unconvincing is used to describe statements, arguments, evidence, performances, or appearances that do not succeed in making you believe they are true or genuine.
• It is often used in formal and informal contexts to express skepticism or criticism.
• Common structures: "an unconvincing argument," "an unconvincing excuse," "find something unconvincing."

Examples

• Describing an argument or reason:
  • The politician's explanation for the policy change was utterly unconvincing.
  • She gave an unconvincing alibi for her whereabouts last night.
• Describing a performance or appearance:
  • The actor's portrayal of grief was unconvincing and left the audience cold.
  • His attempt at a cheerful smile seemed forced and unconvincing.

Advanced Usage

• "to find something unconvincing": To judge or consider something as not persuasive.
  • The jury found the witness's testimony unconvincing.
• "to be unconvincing in one's role": To fail to perform a duty or character in a believable way.
  • The new manager was unconvincing in his role as a leader.

Variants and Related Words

• Unconvincingly (adverb): In a manner that fails to persuade or convince.
  • He argued unconvincingly for the project's benefits.
• Unconvince (verb, rare/archaic): To fail to convince. (Note: This form is very rarely used in modern English; "fail to convince" is standard.)

Synonyms

• Implausible: Not seeming reasonable or probable; difficult to believe.
• Unpersuasive: Not good at persuading someone to do or believe something.
• Weak: Not convincing because of a lack of force or evidence.
• Incredible: Impossible to believe; unbelievable. (Can also mean amazingly good, so context is key.)

Antonyms

• Convincing: Capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real.
• Persuasive: Good at persuading someone to do or believe something.
• Compelling: Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
• Credible: Able to be believed; convincing.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Ring hollow": To sound false or insincere; similar in meaning to seeming unconvincing.
  • His promises of reform rang hollow after years of inaction.
• "Not hold water": (Of an argument, theory, or statement) to be flawed or unconvincing; to not seem valid or reasonable.
  • Her explanation for the missing funds simply doesn't hold water.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having a probability too low to inspire belief
2. not convincing
   • unconvincing argument
   • as unconvincing as a forced smile

Từ đồng nghĩa

• improbable
• unbelievable
• unlikely
• flimsy