sophism

[sof-iz-uhm]

noun

1. a specious argument for displaying ingenuity in reasoning or for deceiving someone.

2. any false argument; fallacy.

sophism

/ ˈsɒfɪzəm /

noun

1. an instance of sophistry Compare paralogism

Other Word Forms

• antisophism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophism¹

1300–50; < Latin sophisma sophistry < Greek sóphisma originally, acquired skill, method, derivative of sophízesthai to act the sophist, become wise; replacing earlier sophim, Middle English < Middle French sophime < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophism¹

C14: from Latin sophisma, from Greek: ingenious trick, from sophizesthai to use clever deceit, from sophos wise, clever

Example Sentences

“What he uttered is just sophism of an imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being, let alone a politician,” the North Korean news agency said.

Read more on Reuters

That prompted a Foreign Ministry official to say Pompeo had been “letting loose reckless remarks and sophism of all kinds against us every day.”

Read more on Washington Post

It called his speech at the UN "thrice-cursed sophism made by the mentally deranged hooligan".

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“This thrice-cursed sophism made by the mentally deranged hooligan has shocked the whole world,” the news agency said.

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Guidelines as a Disservice But for us it is not “truth” but an erosion of the patient-physician contract for an empathic trusting relationship and more often than not, a sophism.

Read more on Scientific American