hand-wavy
Dismissively imprecise explanation
Hand-wavy describes explanations or arguments that gloss over important details, relying on vague gestures rather than rigorous reasoning.
The term evokes someone literally waving their hands to distract from gaps in logic: His proof was hand-wavy at best.
Common in technical and academic contexts where precision matters.
Also hand-wavey.
Lacking exactness or accuracy
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- fuzzySoft and unclear
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- unclearNot easily understood
approximate · loose · unspecific · general · broad · sweeping · rough · superficial
Abrupt, curt rejection
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- deflectingTurning from original path
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- dodgyQuestionable in character
avoidant · cavalier · flippant · offhand · perfunctory · nonchalant · disregarding · minimizing
Making expressive hand movements
- motioningSignaling through movement
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- emphaticExpressed with force
animated · theatrical · demonstrative · flourishing · pantomiming · miming · flapping · swooping
imprecise
Lacking exactness or accuracy
unclear · approximate · loose · unspecific · general · broad · sweeping · rough · superficial · shallow
brushoff
Abrupt, curt rejection
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- deflectingTurning from original path
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
dodgy · avoidant · cavalier · flippant · offhand · perfunctory · nonchalant · disregarding · minimizing · trivializing
gesticulating
Making expressive hand movements
- motioningSignaling through movement
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
emphatic · animated · theatrical · demonstrative · flourishing · pantomiming · miming · flapping · swooping · illustrative
hand-wavymeticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
precise · rigorous · exacting · systematic · methodical
hand-wavythorough
Complete in every detail
exhaustive · comprehensive · in-depth · substantive · evidence-based
hand, wave, hands, waves, handed, waved, handing, waving, handy