handwaving
Glossing over details
Handwaving is the act of glossing over details, gaps, or difficulties rather than addressing them properly.
In academic or technical contexts, it describes arguments that gesture vaguely toward conclusions without rigorous support: The proof relies on a lot of handwaving about boundary conditions.
The term suggests intellectual laziness or deliberate evasion—waving one's hands as if to distract from what's missing.
Stripping complexity unfairly
- generalizationDeriving principles from examples
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
- approximationNear but inexact value
- imprecisionLack of exactness
fuzziness · sketchiness · vagueness · ambiguity · obfuscation · muddiness · nebulousness · unclear
Skillful manual deception
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- prestidigitationSkillful hand-based illusions
- legerdemainSkillful hand-based deception
conjuring · illusion · deception · trickery · diversion · redirection · feint · ruse
Gesturing for approach
- gesticulationExpressive bodily movement
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- flappingRapid wing motion
- flourishTo grow vigorously
Abrupt, curt rejection
- dismissalRemoval from position
- disregardWillful lack of attention
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- evasionAct of escaping detection
deflection · sidestepping · minimization · belittlement · downplaying · trivializing · dodging · avoidance
Vocal encouragement given
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- exuberanceLively, unrestrained enthusiasm
animation · fanfare · celebration · ovation · clapping · rallying · rousing · spirited
oversimplification
Stripping complexity unfairly
- generalizationDeriving principles from examples
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
- approximationNear but inexact value
imprecision · fuzziness · sketchiness · vagueness · ambiguity · obfuscation · muddiness · nebulousness · unclear · ballparking
sleight-of-hand
Skillful manual deception
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- prestidigitationSkillful hand-based illusions
legerdemain · conjuring · illusion · deception · trickery · diversion · redirection · feint · ruse · subterfuge
beckoning
Gesturing for approach
- gesticulationExpressive bodily movement
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- flappingRapid wing motion
flourish · pantomime · semaphore · greeting · farewell · motioning
brushoff
Abrupt, curt rejection
evasion · deflection · sidestepping · minimization · belittlement · downplaying · trivializing · dodging · avoidance · noncommittal
cheering
Vocal encouragement given
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
exuberance · animation · fanfare · celebration · ovation · clapping · rallying · rousing · spirited · energetic
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- avoiding tacticsdodging, evading, sidestepping, skirting, deflecting
- fallaciesstraw man, red herring, circular reasoning, ad hominem, fallacy
handwavingproof
Demonstration of truth
mathematical proof · logical proof · deductive reasoning · demonstration · due diligence
handwavingspecificity
Exactness of detail
precision · exactitude · chapter and verse · blow-by-blow · nitty-gritty
handwavingintellectual rigor
Disciplined, exacting thought standards
transparency · intellectual honesty · accountability · good faith argument
wave, hands, waves, waving, waver, waved, handed, wavering, wavers