unconvincing
Britishadjective
Explanation
Anything that's unconvincing is unlikely or hard to believe. Your unconvincing story about being abducted by aliens probably won't persuade your teacher to give you an extension on your term paper. Your unconvincing impersonation of President Ronald Reagan might sound more like John Wayne, and an unconvincing alibi won't get a suspect off the hook if a detective thinks she's guilty. The adjective unconvincing comes from convince, "cause to believe in the truth of something," and its root that means "to conquer." If you haven't convinced someone of some fact or truth, you've been unconvincing.
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.
Sadly, there’s no reason to think that Vance cares, because the other reason his faux-chivalry act was so unconvincing is that he does not seem to like or respect his wife.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
Chelsea supporters may want another star forward or a new goalkeeper to replace the unconvincing Robert Sanchez, but Xabi Alonso feels his squad is largely complete for this summer.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
After an unconvincing showing in the first round, he eventually endorsed both Evette and her opponent in the runoff, which Evette lost by a 2-to-1 margin.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
Your argument is not an unconvincing one, I’ll give you that.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026
I tried to smile back, but the smile was unconvincing.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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.
