Definitions

specious

[spee-shuhs] / ˈspi ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

misleading

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceptive erroneous false inaccurate incorrect plausible spurious untrue

WEAK

apparent apparently right beguiling captious casuistic colorable credible delusive empty fallacious flattering hollow idle illogical likely nugatory ostensible ostentatious presumable presumptive pretentious probable seeming sophistic sophistical sophisticated unsound vain wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accurate correct genuine honest real right true truthful valid

WEAK

credible

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.

Criticizing Crockett is invariably met with accusations of racism and sexism, some of them legitimate and necessary, some specious and weaponized.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

The “real, factual data” that underpinned Leavitt’s statement was specious at best.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

But that is a specious argument, because money is fungible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

“His claims that the investigations surrounding him are specious — the investigations were appropriate,” Kastor added.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

As such, it was of course vulnerable to the same variety of glibly undaunted and usually specious evaluations that any legitimate art object is.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

Vocabulary lists containing specious

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Lord of the Flies

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1984

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