sophistry

[ sof-uh-stree ]

noun

, plural soph·ist·ries.

1. a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.
2. a false argument; sophism.

sophistry

/ 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

Other Words From

• anti·sophist·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophistry¹

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

Example Sentences

In contrast, Justice Breyer—even when you disagree with him—treats his reader as democratic equals who deserve an actual justification, not just high-handed sophistry.

From Time

Though procedural sophistry, Gorsuch and the other justices who joined his opinion engineered the outcome Texas wanted.

From Vox

Unlike some of the other arguments for the filibuster, this is a valid point, not mere sophistry.

From Vox

One of the arguments for intervention arising from the Syria strikes relies on a bit of sophistry.

From The Daily Beast

The crucial thing is not that there are no forms of legal sophistry deployed in order to make these claims.

From The Daily Beast

Even by the low standards of judicial sophistry, the opinion is a depressing exercise in bloviating certitude.

From The Daily Beast

The substitution of an effect for a cause is an old technique and trick of classical sophistry.

From The Daily Beast

No amount of rouge will ever camouflage rhetoric and sophistry.

From The Daily Beast

In calmer moments his mind would doubtless have pierced the cheap sophistry of the Count, and discarded it.

From Project Gutenberg

They were polished men of society; not profound nor religious, but very brilliant as talkers, and very ready in wit and sophistry.

From Project Gutenberg

I have no sophistry to shift my reasons with; but the truth I trust I have, which needs no painted colours to set her forth.

From Project Gutenberg

That there is “sophistry,” on one side or other, is certain; but now it matters not on which.

From Project Gutenberg

It is but a mere contention—a bone, as the Persian proverb says, thrown to two dogs, a palpable piece of sophistry.

From Project Gutenberg