ring false
Sound not genuine
To ring false is to seem unconvincing or insincere, like a coin that produces a dull sound when struck rather than a clear tone.
The metaphor comes from testing metal currency by its sound.
His apology rang false.
The opposite is ring true—to seem genuine or accurate.
Empty within
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
unconvincing · contrived · artificial · forced · pretense · sham · hypocritical · empty
Invented, not real
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- deceptiveCreating false impressions
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- bogusCounterfeit or fraudulent
counterfeit · fraudulent · untruthful · dishonest · deceitful · duplicitous · lying · mendacious
Lack of firm belief
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- incredulityInability to accept something
questioning · unconvinced · wary · skeptical · dubious · mistrust · misgiving · wariness
Disturbingly incongruous
- offNot functioning
- discordantLacking musical agreement
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
contradictory · ill-fitting · wrong note · out of place · mismatched · clashing · at odds
hollow
Empty within
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
disingenuous · unconvincing · contrived · artificial · forced · pretense · sham · hypocritical · empty · performative
fabricated
Invented, not real
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- deceptiveCreating false impressions
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
bogus · counterfeit · fraudulent · untruthful · dishonest · deceitful · duplicitous · lying · mendacious · trumped-up
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
incredulity · questioning · unconvinced · wary · skeptical · dubious · mistrust · misgiving · wariness · red flag
jarring
Disturbingly incongruous
- offNot functioning
- discordantLacking musical agreement
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
inconsistent · contradictory · ill-fitting · wrong note · out of place · mismatched · clashing · at odds
ring falsering true
Seem authentic or credible
carry conviction · hold water · strike a chord · resonate · pass muster
ring, false, rings, rang, rung, ringing, ringer, ringers, falsely