as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
a specious argument that really does not stand up under close examination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of specious
The ineffectual nature of California’s energy policies are why advocates of California going green fall back on specious arguments, like the idea that California must continue inflicting higher energy costs on its residents to inspire other states and even the world to follow suit.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
All the effort of life, disguised as specious, distracted entertainment.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
This post will attempt to separate the fundamentals of what just happened to NPR and PBS from the noise and the chaotic politics of the moment that led to the defunding — bearing in mind that there have been plenty of specious arguments and claims on both sides of the issue.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
The administration for weeks ignored a court order to bring back only to return him to prosecute him on specious old allegations.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
All the effort of life, disguised as specious, distracted entertainment.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
This post will attempt to separate the fundamentals of what just happened to NPR and PBS from the noise and the chaotic politics of the moment that led to the defunding — bearing in mind that there have been plenty of specious arguments and claims on both sides of the issue.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
The administration for weeks ignored a court order to bring back only to return him to prosecute him on specious old allegations.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for specious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specious
Adjective
-
This, in turn, creates a feedback loop where accurate, trustworthy information is rewarded while low-quality or potentially misleading content loses influence.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The idea is to prevent ads containing false or misleading material that can potentially hurt someone.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, brings claims for deceptive practices and false advertising, among others.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The complaints allow the public to report unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the agency’s website, and can prompt investigations from the office.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Several residents who work in the Georgia King Village area weighed in on the incident, including Harriette Guity, who told News12 that false reports based on AI could stretch first responders thin.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Archaeologists concluded the structure was actually a false tomb, or a cenotaph, a type of burial monument erected to honor a deceased person buried elsewhere.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specious. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share