ring hollow
Sound falsely spoken
To ring hollow is to sound insincere or unconvincing, like a container that produces a dull, empty sound when struck.
Promises, apologies, and reassurances ring hollow when they lack substance or contradict the speaker's actions: His claims of innocence rang hollow after the evidence emerged.
Her words of sympathy rang hollow—she'd never liked him anyway.
Feigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- artificialMade, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
phony · pretentious · canned · stilted · perfunctory · mechanical · platitude · lip service
Lacking significance or purpose
- vacuousEmpty of content
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- soullessLacking spirit or feeling
- shallowWithout much depth
depthless · insubstantial · void · barren · echoing
Not matching reality
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
- bogusCounterfeit or fraudulent
sham · spurious · counterfeit · fake · fraudulent · duplicitous · two-faced · hypocritical
Failing to convince
- implausibleUnlikely to be true
- weakLacking power or force
- flimsyWeak and easily damaged
- unbelievableImpossible to accept as true
specious · untenable · thin · dubious · suspect · questionable · half-hearted · lame
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- mistrustLack of faith
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- incredulityInability to accept something
wariness · cynicism · side-eye · raised eyebrow · not buying it · hard to believe · too good to be true · smell a rat
disingenuous
Feigning ignorance or innocence
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- artificialMade, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
forced · phony · pretentious · canned · stilted · perfunctory · mechanical · platitude · lip service · going through motions
meaningless
Lacking significance or purpose
- vacuousEmpty of content
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- soullessLacking spirit or feeling
shallow · depthless · insubstantial · void · barren · echoing
false
Not matching reality
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
bogus · sham · spurious · counterfeit · fake · fraudulent · duplicitous · two-faced · hypocritical · double-talk
unpersuasive
Failing to convince
- implausibleUnlikely to be true
- weakLacking power or force
- flimsyWeak and easily damaged
unbelievable · specious · untenable · thin · dubious · suspect · questionable · half-hearted · lame · feeble
doubt
Lack of firm belief
incredulity · wariness · cynicism · side-eye · raised eyebrow · not buying it · hard to believe · too good to be true · smell a rat
ring hollowring true
Seem authentic or credible
resonate · strike a chord · hit home · carry weight · land
ring hollowcarry weight
Have significant influence
hold water · stand up · pack a punch · land · hit the mark
ring, hollow, rings, ringed, ringing, ringer, ringers, hollows, hollowed