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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of specious
Often, those complaints prove specious.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The standard government claim that the victims were either resisting, assaulting or otherwise behaving illegally toward the agents often have been specious and contradicted by evidence.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025
Inside, the layout is streamlined and intuitive, with a door-in-door compartment for quick grabs, a specious full-width drawer, and a three-tier organization system in the freezer.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
Both comparisons are specious and serve little purpose other than to radicalize the respective bases of each party.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025
The standard government claim that the victims were either resisting, assaulting or otherwise behaving illegally toward the agents often have been specious and contradicted by evidence.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025
Inside, the layout is streamlined and intuitive, with a door-in-door compartment for quick grabs, a specious full-width drawer, and a three-tier organization system in the freezer.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
Both comparisons are specious and serve little purpose other than to radicalize the respective bases of each party.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specious
Adjective
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Alas, the misleading, cold-in-the-morning, warm-at-night weather has finally arrived.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Despite the backlash, DeRosa has insisted the criticism has created misleading narratives about his handling of the team and his understanding of the tournament format.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the short term, the company focuses on immediate relief from rising annual maintenance fees, open loans, and the financial fallout from deceptive sales practices.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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Tenet had sued Leapfrog last year over poor grades given to its Palm Beach Network hospitals, calling the grading process unfair and deceptive.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Chapman is charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Thomas Edward Manfredi, 33, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and making a false police report, according to an arrest warrant.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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