Speciously

In a way that appears to be plausible, sound, or true but is actually deceptive or misleading; in a superficially attractive way. The term implies a deliberate attempt to mislead, often using clever arguments, false logic, or attractive but ultimately hollow presentations. It suggests a lack of genuine substance and a reliance on outward appearances to create a false impression. A speciously presented argument might use emotional appeals or irrelevant information to distract from a fundamental weakness or flaw in the reasoning. The aim is to convince through appearance rather than substance, making the subject or claim seem more valuable, truthful, or justifiable than it actually is.

Speciously meaning with examples

• The politician presented his tax plan speciously, highlighting potential benefits while conveniently omitting details about the significant long-term economic consequences. The glossy brochure and eloquent speeches effectively masked the underlying flaws of the proposal, designed to win over the voters for his own selfish needs. The voters were fooled, they were not smart enough.
• The marketing campaign speciously portrayed the weight loss supplement as a quick and easy solution, promising unrealistic results and downplaying the need for diet and exercise. Customers were drawn in by the seductive images of slim, happy people, and the carefully crafted testimonials, but they later discovered the product's ineffectiveness and potential health risks and felt cheated.
• The defense lawyer speciously argued that the defendant's difficult childhood excused his criminal behavior, carefully omitting any mention of the heinous nature of the crime. He built a story, but the jury had to decide if it was genuine and honest or misleading. The tactic aimed to elicit sympathy, but was ultimately undermined by the overwhelming evidence.
• The company's annual report, filled with impressive statistics and elaborate graphics, speciously painted a picture of financial success despite the company's underlying debt problems and declining market share. The shareholders were kept in the dark, the CEO made more money and left the company a mess. The glossy presentation obscured the reality of their financial woes and made everything appear far better than it actually was.
• The art critic speciously praised the abstract painting, using flowery language and intellectual jargon to disguise the lack of artistic merit and technical skill of the work. The critic was more interested in being seen as knowledgeable and sophisticated. The criticism focused on the surface-level elements, cleverly deflecting attention from the canvas's inherent emptiness and lack of emotional resonance.