sophistry

American  

[sof-uh-stree] / ˈsɒf ə stri /

noun

sophistries plural

1. a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.

2. a false argument; sophism.

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sophistry British  

/ ˈsɒfɪstrɪ /

noun

1. 1. a method of argument that is seemingly plausible though actually invalid and misleading

   2. the art of using such arguments

2. subtle but unsound or fallacious reasoning

3. an instance of this; sophism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antisophistry
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• sophistries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sophistry

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sophistrie, (from Middle French ), equivalent to sophistre “sophist” ( see sophister) + -ie -y ³, from Medieval Latin sophistria , from Latin sophista, sophistes; see origin at sophist ( def. )

Explanation

Sophistry is tricking someone by making a seemingly clever argument, like a philosopher who argues that up is down and somehow convinces you. If you accuse someone of sophistry, you mean they’ll lie to make a point. The word sophistry has roots in ancient Greece. The Sophists were teachers who were celebrated in their time but were later thought to be more like con artists who would say anything to win an argument. Sophistry is like spin — it means twisting the truth to bend to one’s needs. Politician might accuse people who disagree with them of using sophistry.

Example Sentences

Though "A View From the Bridge" was her Broadway debut, she had one other stage credit - in an off-Broadway play in 1993 called "Sophistry" with Ethan Hawke where she had only one line.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2012

There are two startling passages in another new off-Broadway play, the keenly observed if scattershot Sophistry, set on a college campus.

From Time Magazine Archive

The world is not sufficiently conscious of the influence exercised over it by Sophistry.

From Sophisms of the Protectionists by White, Horace

Sophistry, with which Religion is explained away, 133.

From A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Middle and Higher Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity. by Wilberforce, William

Sophistry cannot get away from this; eloquence cannot seduce us from it.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 7 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green