THE WORDCRAFT DEFINITION DICTIONARY
specious
adjective
Appearing convincing or correct while actually being misleading or unsound.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
SEE IT IN USE
Examples in context
The specious argument treated two unrelated events as proof of a cause.
A student committee proposed moving its exhibition to a smaller room on the premise that less wall space would reduce preparation time. The rationale sounded practical, since the volunteers had only one afternoon to install the work. However, a claim that a smaller room must always be easier to prepare was specious: it ignored the possibility that the available space would require additional stands and a new arrangement.
Notice how the same meaning carries into different situations. Try explaining what the word contributes to each example.
Related meanings
Related words can differ in tone and context; they are not always interchangeable.
Compare the full synonym referenceMAKE IT YOURS
Write your own sentence
Use "specious" in a situation you might actually discuss. Compare your meaning with the definition above.
Personal practice. Sentences are saved locally and are not automatically graded.
READ THIS WORD IN CONTEXT
Included in the learning path
Answering the ArgumentReading 1 / Open lessonAPPLY IT AND RETURN
Build a retention record for this word.
Use its lesson question and fresh-context checkpoint on separate days. Your browser can track the evidence for a retention milestone.
How the milestone worksCOMPARE THE MEANINGS
Test this word's relationships.
Choose the closest meaning or opposite before reading the explanation.
About this entry
This entry is part of the vocabulary collection supplied by GlobalRPh. Definitions are concise study meanings. Examples combine original teaching sentences with selected passages adapted from the supplied study notes; their source is labeled beside each example. A word may have additional specialized or historical senses.
Adapted from supplied vocabulary notes. Example written for WordCraft.
Source study sections: 14.
Dictionary scope and sources