sophistry

[ sof-uh-stree ]

/ ˈsɒf ə stri /

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See synonyms for sophistry on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural soph·ist·ries.

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

a false argument; sophism.

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Origin of sophistry

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sophistrie, (from Middle French), equivalent to sophistre “sophist” (see sophister) + -ie -y³, from Medieval Latin sophistria , from Latin sophista, sophistes; see origin at sophist

OTHER WORDS FROM sophistry

an·ti·soph·ist·ry, noun

Words nearby sophistry

sophister, sophistic, sophisticate, sophisticated, sophistication, sophistry, sophists, Sophocles, sophomore, sophomoric, Sophonias

How to use sophistry in a sentence

Unlike some of the other arguments for the filibuster, this is a valid point, not mere sophistry.
The definitive case for ending the filibuster|Ezra Klein|October 1, 2020|Vox
One of the arguments for intervention arising from the Syria strikes relies on a bit of sophistry.
What Israel's Attack Doesn't Mean For American Intervention In Syria|Ali Gharib|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The crucial thing is not that there are no forms of legal sophistry deployed in order to make these claims.
David In Wonderland|Hussein Ibish|March 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even by the low standards of judicial sophistry, the opinion is a depressing exercise in bloviating certitude.
In Robert Bork’s Death, a Reminder of Scalia’s Inconsistency|Paul Campos|December 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The substitution of an effect for a cause is an old technique and trick of classical sophistry.
Demonization Is No Excuse|Hussein Ibish|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
No amount of rouge will ever camouflage rhetoric and sophistry.
Letter to a Young Critic: William Giraldi Defends True Criticism|William Giraldi|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In calmer moments his mind would doubtless have pierced the cheap sophistry of the Count, and discarded it.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
They were polished men of society; not profound nor religious, but very brilliant as talkers, and very ready in wit and sophistry.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
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.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
That there is “sophistry,” on one side or other, is certain; but now it matters not on which.
Mary Wollstonecraft|Elizabeth Robins Pennell
It is but a mere contention—a bone, as the Persian proverb says, thrown to two dogs, a palpable piece of sophistry.
Islam Her Moral And Spiritual Value|Arthur Glyn Leonard

British Dictionary definitions for sophistry

sophistry

/ (ˈsɒfɪstrɪ) /

noun plural -ries

a method of argument that is seemingly plausible though actually invalid and misleading
the art of using such arguments

subtle but unsound or fallacious reasoning

an instance of this; sophism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sophistry

Origin of sophistry

OTHER WORDS FROM sophistry

Words nearby sophistry

Words related to sophistry

How to use sophistry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sophistry