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Having a false look of truth or genuineness; misleading.
synonyms:deceptiveillusory
The word 'specious' comes from the Latin 'speciosus', meaning 'beautiful, fair, or plausible', which itself is derived from 'specere', meaning 'to look' or 'to see'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century.
Specious is often used in everyday language, particularly in discussions involving arguments, reasoning, or claims that seem convincing but are actually misleading or false.
While not a daily conversation word, 'specious' is commonly encountered in academic and critical discussions.
The politician's specious arguments failed to convince the majority of voters.
Although her explanation sounded reasonable, it was ultimately specious and unconvincing.
He presented a specious claim that the new policy would benefit everyone, but the data suggested otherwise.
The word 'specious' is like a shiny apple that looks delicious but is really just a decoy. It refers to something that appears attractive or valid on the surface but is actually misleading. Originating from Latin, it ties back to the idea of looking or seeing, which is quite fitting since specious claims often depend on appearances. This word serves as a reminder to look beyond the surface and question the validity of what we encounter in our daily lives.