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Showing results for specious. Search instead for speciou.
Definitions

specious

[spee-shuhs] / ˈspi ʃəs /
ADJECTIVE
misleading
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceptive erroneous false inaccurate incorrect plausible spurious untrue
WEAK
apparent apparently right beguiling captious casuistic colorable credible delusive empty fallacious flattering hollow idle illogical likely nugatory ostensible ostentatious presumable presumptive pretentious probable seeming sophistic sophistical sophisticated unsound vain wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accurate correct genuine honest real right true truthful valid
WEAK
credible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The trouble with most theories about conspiratorial schemes—the weird ones of 4chan and the specious ones of the faculty lounges—is that they arise from motivated reasoning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

The “real, factual data” that underpinned Leavitt’s statement was specious at best.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

“His claims that the investigations surrounding him are specious — the investigations were appropriate,” Kastor added.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

He also accused the businessman of "resorting to all sorts of specious legal twists" and claimed he should "start behaving respectfully".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

Any connection, no matter how specious, might be used to justify his incarceration and extend it.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.