specious
含义: Superficially plausible but actually wrong or misleading. Describes arguments, reasoning, or claims that appear convincing at first glance but do not withstand scrutiny.
Specious is a precise and useful word for identifying the gap between appearance and reality in reasoning. A specious argument looks sound on the surface but contains a hidden flaw — a logical fallacy, a false premise, or a misleading analogy. The word is invaluable in academic writing, legal argument, and political commentary, where the ability to distinguish genuine reasoning from plausible-sounding nonsense is essential. It collocates with 'argument,' 'reasoning,' 'claim,' 'logic,' and 'comparison,' and is always pejorative.
例句
- The defence barrister exposed the prosecution's case as specious, built on circumstantial evidence and faulty assumptions. 辩护律师揭露检方的案件是虚假的,建立在间接证据和错误假设之上。El abogado defensor demostró que el caso de la acusación era especioso, construido sobre pruebas circunstanciales y suposiciones erróneas.弁護側弁護士は、検察の主張が状況証拠と誤った仮定に基づいたまやかしであることを暴いた。변호인은 검찰 측 주장이 정황 증거와 잘못된 가정에 기반한 허구임을 폭로했다.
- His specious claim that the tax cut would pay for itself was contradicted by every independent economic forecast. 他关于减税可以自筹资金的似是而非的主张遭到每一项独立经济预测的反驳。Su especiosa afirmación de que la rebaja fiscal se autofinanciaría fue desmentida por todas las previsiones económicas independientes.減税で財源が賄えるという彼のもっともらしい主張は、あらゆる独立系経済予測によって否定された。감세로 재원이 충당될 것이라는 그의 그럴듯한 주장은 모든 독립 경제 전망에 의해 부정되었다.
- The committee rejected the developer's specious argument that demolishing the listed building would benefit the local community. 委员会驳回了开发商的牵强论点,即拆除这座受保护建筑将有利于当地社区。El comité rechazó el especioso argumento del promotor de que demoler el edificio catalogado beneficiaría a la comunidad local.委員会は、指定建造物の取壊しが地域社会に利益をもたらすという開発業者のもっともらしい議論を退けた。위원회는 지정 건물의 철거가 지역사회에 이익이 될 것이라는 개발업자의 궤변을 기각했다.
发音
用法指南
语境: academic, legal, journalism
语气: disapproving
起源与历史
From Latin speciosus (beautiful, plausible), from species (appearance, form). The meaning shifted from 'attractive' in Middle English to 'deceptively attractive' by the 17th century.
文化背景
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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