specious
Seemingly sound, false
Specious describes something that appears true, sound, or valid on the surface but is actually false or flawed: a specious argument, specious reasoning.
The word carries an accusation—what looks plausible is in fact deceptive.
A specious claim might fool you at first glance but crumbles under scrutiny.
Containing faulty reasoning
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- sophisticUsing clever false reasoning
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- falseNot matching reality
bogus · phony · disingenuous · fraudulent · sham · counterfeit · insincere · duplicitous
Decorative outer layer
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- glossShine or annotation
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
- appearanceOutward visible form
semblance · pretense · show · front · guise · mask · window dressing · cosmetic
Deceptive reasoning
- fallacyError in reasoning
- casuistryApplying principles to particulars
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
argument · logic · premise · rhetoric · equivocation · quibble · hair-splitting · non sequitur
Able to convince
- credibleWorthy of acceptance
- convincingAble to persuade
- persuasiveAble to convince others
- apparentClearly seen or understood
ostensible · seeming · colorable · prima facie · face value
fallacious
Containing faulty reasoning
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- sophisticUsing clever false reasoning
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
false · bogus · phony · disingenuous · fraudulent · sham · counterfeit · insincere · duplicitous · hollow
veneer
Decorative outer layer
appearance · semblance · pretense · show · front · guise · mask · window dressing · cosmetic · skin-deep
sophistry
Deceptive reasoning
- fallacyError in reasoning
- casuistryApplying principles to particulars
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
rationalization · argument · logic · premise · rhetoric · equivocation · quibble · hair-splitting · non sequitur · red herring
believable
Able to convince
- credibleWorthy of acceptance
- convincingAble to persuade
- persuasiveAble to convince others
apparent · ostensible · seeming · colorable · prima facie · face value
speciousvalid
Legally or logically sound
sound · cogent · legitimate · well-founded · substantive
speciousforthright
Directly honest in manner
straightforward · candid · honest · frank · direct