sophism

American  

[sof-iz-uhm] / ˈsɒf ɪz əm /

noun

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

2. any false argument; fallacy.

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sophism British  

/ ˈsɒfɪzəm /

noun

1. an instance of sophistry Compare paralogism

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Other Word Forms

• antisophism noun

Etymology

Origin of sophism

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

Explanation

When someone deliberately tries to trick you by making a false statement, that's a sophism. Inventing statistics to back up your personal belief that dogs are smarter than humans is one example of sophism. Fact-checking the statements politicians make is important, in order to uncover sophisms they might be using. If a candidate falsely claims that the crime rate in a city is rising so that he can gain the support of voters who believe he'll be tough on crime, his statement is a sophism. The word comes from the Old French sophime, "fallacy or false argument," and its root, the Greek sophisma, "clever device or stage trick."

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2019

Mixing his sophism with some cynicism, Galbraith explained that such shyness will be outgrown before long.

From Time Magazine Archive

The New York Daily Times, Washington letter, dated June 9: Douglas was much disconcerted to-day by Senator Trumbull's keen exposure of his Nebraska sophism.

From The Life of Lyman Trumbull by White, Horace

The Dialecticians found in their system the widest range for feminine cleverness of speech, and defended hetairism with the greatest subtlety and the most ingenious sophism.

From Greek Women by Carroll, Mitchell

This sophism imposed upon a portion of the patriots of that day.

From Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford December Term, 1856. by Howard, Benjamin C.