sophistry
subtly deceptive reasoning that seems plausible but is flawed
Word origin: From Greek sophistes, a clever but tricky reasoner.
Sophistry in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing sophistry in a sentence.
The lawyer's argument collapsed once the sophistry was exposed.
The lawyer's argument was clever sophistry, leading the jury step by plausible step to a false conclusion.
Using “sophistry” well
Sophistry is reasoning that appears sound but is deliberately deceptive or fallacious. It implies cleverness in service of a misleading end, not honest error.
More GRE words starting with S
to deliberately damage or obstruct something, especially in secret
an intensely sweet, calorie-free artificial sweetener
excessively sweet or sentimental in a cloying way
regarded as too important or sacred to be altered or criticized
having keen practical judgment and discernment
soundness of judgment and acuteness of discernment
most noticeable or important; standing out prominently
of a sickly yellowish or pale complexion
Questions about “sophistry”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.