Specious
['spiːʃəs] or ['spiʃəs]
Definition
(adj.) plausible but false; 'a specious claim'; 'spurious inferences' .
Checked by Amy--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy.
(a.) Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument.
Checker: Wade
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Fair (apparently, but not really), plausible, colorable, ostensible.
Edited by Cheryl
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Plausible, showy, ostensible, colorable, fair-spoken
ANT:Inadmissible, self-contradictory, absurd, unreasonable
Inputed by Bobbie
Definition
adj. that looks well at first sight: showy: plausible: appearing actual not merely imaginary.—ns. Spēcios′ity Spē′ciousness plausible appearance.—adv. Spē′ciously.
Typist: Wesley
Examples
- There is more of what is specious than true in your distinction, said my companion. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- I am not sure, my dear girl, but that it may be wise and specious to preserve that outward indifference. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- A shallow and specious other-worldliness has been driven out: an other-worldliness which is really nothing but laziness about this one. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Mr. Woodhouse must not, under the specious pretence of a morning drive, and an hour or two spent at Donwell, be tempted away to his misery. Jane Austen. Emma.
Typist: Wesley