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Specious - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Specious describes something that seems true or correct at first glance but is actually misleading or false. It often refers to arguments or reasoning that appear plausible but lack real validity.

specious

/ˈspiːʃəs/ /ˈspiːʃəs/

Definition:

Superficially plausible but actually wrong, misleading in appearance.

Synonyms:

deceptive, misleading, fallacious, spurious

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

genuine, valid, truthful

Common Collocations:

specious argument, specious reasoning, specious claim

Derivatives:

speciously, speciousness

Usage Tips:

Use "specious" to describe arguments or claims that seem correct but are flawed upon closer examination.

Common Phrases:

specious logic, specious charm, specious excuse

Etymology:

From Latin "speciosus" (beautiful, plausible), from "species" (appearance).

Examples:

  • 1. The politician's argument was specious and lacked real evidence.
  • 2. Her specious smile hid her true intentions perfectly.
  • 3. Don’t be fooled by his specious promises—they’re empty.
  • 4. The advertisement made a specious claim about instant results.

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