specious
Americanadjective
-
apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible.
specious arguments.
- Antonyms:
- genuine
-
pleasing to the eye but deceptive.
- Synonyms:
- misleading, false
- Antonyms:
- genuine
-
Obsolete. pleasing to the eye; fair.
adjective
-
apparently correct or true, but actually wrong or false
-
deceptively attractive in appearance
Synonym Usage
See plausible.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of specious
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin speciōsus “fair, good-looking, beautiful,” equivalent to speci(ēs) ( see species) + -ōsus adjective suffix; see -ous
Compare meaning
How does specious compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Use specious to describe an argument that seems to be good, correct, or logical, but is not so. We live on the earth, therefore the earth must be the center of the universe. This has been proven to be a specious theory of the solar system. Specious is pronounced "SPEE-shuhs." Something that is specious is attractive in a deceptive way, and if you follow the word's etymology, you'll see why. In Middle English, this adjective meant "attractive," from Latin speciōsus, "showy, beautiful," from speciēs, "appearance, kind, sort."
Vocabulary lists containing specious
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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.
The film seems to suggest that we — the audience to this specious display of white-knighting nobility — are monsters who can act just as heinous as the criminals.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
The Friends group analyzed the district’s plan and found it specious.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
As a 25-year high-school math teacher in Alameda, Calif., I’ve listened to all the specious, spurious, self-serving excuses for denying students and families educational choice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
Criticizing Crockett is invariably met with accusations of racism and sexism, some of them legitimate and necessary, some specious and weaponized.
From Slate ● Mar. 3, 2026
Any connection, no matter how specious, might be used to justify his incarceration and extend it.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
