handwavy
Lacking rigorous detail
Handwavy describes explanations or arguments that gloss over important details, substituting vague gestures for rigor.
The term evokes someone waving their hands to distract from gaps in logic or precision: His proof was pretty handwavy in the middle section.
Common in technical and academic contexts, where it signals that something lacks the specificity to be convincing: The proposal's cost estimates were handwavy at best.
Lacking exactness or accuracy
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- fuzzySoft and unclear
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
unclear · unspecific · loose · general · broad · sweeping · airy · gauzy
Careless and untidy
- looseNot firmly secured
- unsupportedLacking backing or proof
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- speculativeBased on conjecture
conjectural · baseless · unfounded · unproven · arbitrary · ad-hoc · makeshift · improvisational
Abrupt, curt rejection
- cavalierDismissively unconcerned
- flippantCarelessly disrespectful
- glibSuperficially articulate
- offhandCasually unrehearsed
breezy · nonchalant · casual · perfunctory · superficial · glossing · sidestepping · dodging
imprecise
Lacking exactness or accuracy
hazy · unclear · unspecific · loose · general · broad · sweeping · airy · gauzy · wishy-washy
sloppy
Careless and untidy
- looseNot firmly secured
- unsupportedLacking backing or proof
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
speculative · conjectural · baseless · unfounded · unproven · arbitrary · ad-hoc · makeshift · improvisational · seat-of-pants
brushoff
Abrupt, curt rejection
offhand · breezy · nonchalant · casual · perfunctory · superficial · glossing · sidestepping · dodging · deflecting
handwavyrigorous
Extremely thorough and careful
meticulous · precise · exacting · methodical · systematic
handwavyspecific
Clearly defined, not vague
exact · concrete · explicit · definite · particular
handwavythorough
Complete in every detail
exhaustive · comprehensive · in-depth · substantive · fleshed out