specious
[spee-shuhs]
adjective
apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible: specious arguments.
pleasing to the eye but deceptive.
Obsolete. pleasing to the eye; fair.
Origin of specious
Synonyms for specious
Antonyms for specious
1, 2. genuine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for speciously
ostensibly, probably, supposedly, allegedly, possibly, evidently, externally, outwardly, reasonably, superficially, intuitively, plausibly, professedly, reputably, seemingly, tangiblyExamples from the Web for speciously
Historical Examples of speciously
"Jerry wanted to know how you were," said Stella speciously.
Country NeighborsAlice Brown
This was a chance, he speciously urged, which Miss Devereux should not be suffered to miss.
The Crooked StickRolf Boldrewood
How was it possible she should behave so speciously as she did all the time the lady staid with us!
Clarissa, Volume 4 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
After an autumn speciously benign came our season of cold and snow.
The Boss of Little ArcadyHarry Leon Wilson
It was uniformly not so hopeful as formerly, while speciously apologetic.
The Portion of LaborMary E. Wilkins Freeman
specious
adjective
Word Origin for specious
C14 (originally: fair): from Latin speciōsus plausible, from speciēs outward appearance, from specere to look at
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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specious
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper