fallacy

[fal-uh-see] / ˈfæl ə si /

NOUN

illusion, misconception

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deception falsehood heresy inconsistency misinterpretation paradox untruth

STRONG

aberration ambiguity artifice bias casuistry cavil deceit deceptiveness delusion deviation elusion equivocation erratum erroneousness error evasion faultiness flaw illogicality inexactness invalidity misapprehension miscalculation misconstrual mistake notion perversion preconception prejudice quirk solecism sophism sophistry speciousness subterfuge

WEAK

non sequitur quibbling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

truth

STRONG

accuracy certainty conformity correction directness facing fairness frankness honesty meeting openness reality sameness truthfulness

WEAK

evidence fact right surety

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“This crisis is not a fallacy nor a thinly veiled threat.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

The sunk-cost fallacy tempts people to pay escalating premiums because they’ve paid for so long.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 15, 2025

"We know lots of children struggle. The idea that the school years are the best years of your life is a fallacy."

From BBC • May 3, 2025

“It’s a complete fallacy and a red herring to suggest that, since the state of the emergency is over, the funding should end, too.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2025

He had no difficulty in disposing of the fallacy, and he was in no danger of succumbing to it.

From "1984" by George Orwell

Vocabulary lists containing fallacy

Argumentative Writing

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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

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Power Suffix: -acy

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