Synonyms of specious

specious

adjective

ˈspē-shəs 

as in misleading

tending or having power to deceive

a specious argument that really does not stand up under close examination

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misleading
• deceptive
• false
• fallacious
• delusive
• incorrect
• deceitful
• ambiguous
• beguiling
• deceiving
• delusory
• inaccurate
• fraudulent
• deluding
• subtle
• cunning
• perplexing
• artful
• dishonest
• wily
• trick
• puzzling
• mendacious
• subtile
• crooked
• crafty
• tricky
• slick
• wrong
• duplicitous
• confounding
• underhanded
• lying
• shifty
• sneaky
• sly
• shady
• spurious
• devious
• treacherous
• bogus
• untrustworthy
• distracting
• insidious
• artificial
• untruthful
• foxy
• underhand
• faithless
• hypocritical
• perfidious
• counterfeit
• guileful
• evasive
• forged
• phony
• bewildering
• fake
• trickish
• sham
• equivocal
• feigned
• insincere
• ambidextrous
• knavish
• circuitous
• dissembling
• jive
• backhanded
• fast
• sneaking
• defrauding
• double-dealing
• two-faced
• left-handed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightforward
• forthright
• plain
• direct
• open
• candid
• outspoken
• frank
• aboveboard
• nondeceptive
• explanatory
• straight
• illuminating
• revealing
• openhearted
• clarifying
• plainspoken
• truthful
• revelatory
• free-spoken
• honest
• trustworthy
• elucidative
• foursquare

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of specious

The metaphor of perfect communication as nodding to our contemporary AI revolution is specious beyond a point. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 May 2026

His lawyer, John Carman, said federal prosecutors dressed up a mundane paperwork case with specious suggestions that Lu was involved in spying and intelligence gathering. — ABC News, 13 May 2026

The majority, rather than being rattled by a president who had attempted a coup, labored to protect the country from the hypothetical danger of a presidency rendered impotent by specious criminal prosecutions. — Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

In its opinion, the district court admonished Aston for unhelpful responses, specious arguments, and sloppy portrayals of the statements alleged to be responsive. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026

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