as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
a specious argument that really does not stand up under close examination
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Recent Examples of specious
There have been all sorts of concerns for a while, including shenanigans around using metrics from SaaS to apply to AI-native companies (that logic is specious at best).
—
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
These novels offer a post-colonial perspective—an understanding that, though these Americans may have done something positive in China by building roads or hospitals, their very presence, and certainly their perspective on their purpose there, is specious.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Oltmann’s specious claims against Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, cost Coomer more than Oltmann can ever repay — his reputation, health, and safety.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Often, those complaints prove specious.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
These novels offer a post-colonial perspective—an understanding that, though these Americans may have done something positive in China by building roads or hospitals, their very presence, and certainly their perspective on their purpose there, is specious.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Oltmann’s specious claims against Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, cost Coomer more than Oltmann can ever repay — his reputation, health, and safety.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Often, those complaints prove specious.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specious
Adjective
-
This headline is so misleading.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
-
Pretending that’s not going to happen is misleading and wrong.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and that its members profited off the claims.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Grand Canyon’s rim-to-river routes can be deceptive because the steepest physical test comes on the way out, after hikers have descended into hotter terrain, experts say.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to the department, at the time of the chase, Buban had multiple outstanding arrest warrants against him, including for being a felon in possession of a firearm, taking a vehicle without consent, false impersonation and petty theft.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
According to Peña, a producer relayed the false information to her through an earpiece during a live broadcast.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specious. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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