as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
a specious argument that really does not stand up under close examination
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Recent Examples of specious
Most of these judges are issuing specious rulings that will be overturned by higher courts, but these judges are only the first stop in a judicial process that will ultimately lead to the Supreme Court.
—
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
Kennedy’s skill at flooding his audiences with specious claims that sound logical or highbrow was on full display during his 2023 interview with the podcaster Joe Rogan.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
The specious comparison of women’s beach volleyball to football is not how a proper Title IX analysis works.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025
But Kirkwood and director Sarah Benson leave no room for such a specious critique.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for specious
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
Kennedy’s skill at flooding his audiences with specious claims that sound logical or highbrow was on full display during his 2023 interview with the podcaster Joe Rogan.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
The specious comparison of women’s beach volleyball to football is not how a proper Title IX analysis works.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025
But Kirkwood and director Sarah Benson leave no room for such a specious critique.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for specious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specious
Adjective
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Payment providers can face significant card brand penalties if they are found to facilitate deceptive behavior.—
Rochelle Blease,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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Don't fall prey to deceptive marketing language and inflated MSRP prices—our tips only take a few moments.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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An excellent demo is what distinguishes the truth from false claims.—
Claire Trimble,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Most notably, Trump has clashed with South Africa over false claims that white South African farmers are being regularly killed by Black locals, leading Washington to cut all US aid to the country and extend some white Afrikaners refugee status.—
Mathias Hammer,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specious. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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