sophist

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.

Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard historian, said the positions held by the company and Mr. Tillerson still constitute climate denial, but in a “clever and sophist icated” form.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2016

This supposed techno-libertarian renegade, this poster child for the melding of microchips and humanist values, had become just another billionaire sophist.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2011

How does he listen to this sophist and then earnestly ask if he can, “with right and conscience,” make a claim to the French throne?

From New York Times • Aug. 17, 2011

He was ultimately a sophist, who liked to convince himself of the rightness of views that were indefensible.

From The Guardian • Jan. 23, 2011

Rather than teach a series of tricks and tips for momentary success in speaking, as any catchpenny sophist might, Aristotle sought to form a coherent view of why those tips and tricks worked.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith