unconvincing
Britishadjective
Explanation
Anything that's unconvincing is unlikely or hard to believe. Your unconvincing story about being abducted by aliens probably won't persuade your teacher to give you an extension on your term paper. Your unconvincing impersonation of President Ronald Reagan might sound more like John Wayne, and an unconvincing alibi won't get a suspect off the hook if a detective thinks she's guilty. The adjective unconvincing comes from convince, "cause to believe in the truth of something," and its root that means "to conquer." If you haven't convinced someone of some fact or truth, you've been unconvincing.
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.
Unconvincing as an attacking force all night, United were unable to make the most of their spot kicks after Rooney had allowed Tomás Mejías to save to his right.
From The Guardian • Oct. 28, 2015
Unconvincing defense from Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo allowed Barcelona’s opponents to claw back from a 2-0 deficit.
From Washington Times • Apr. 14, 2015
Unconvincing and somewhat overwrought weepie in which flashy exec Pine befriends his long-lost half-sister without revealing their true connection.
From The Guardian • Nov. 10, 2012
Verdict: Unconvincing Strikers: Would Defoe have been a better option?
From The Guardian • Jun. 18, 2010
Unconvincing verbiage apart, the only change which would take place would be a change of name.
From British Socialism An Examination of Its Doctrines, Policy, Aims and Practical Proposals by Barker, J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
