sophistry

IPA/ˈsɒfɪstri/
KK[sˈɔfɪstrˌi]IPA/ˈsɑːfɪstri/

sophistry — noun

1. reasoning or language made to sound clever so that people accept something untru

1.名詞C2
釋義

reasoning or language made to sound clever so that people accept something untrue.

例句

The campaign relied on sophistry instead of clear facts about housing costs.

rely on sophistry

In the TV debate, Renata called the minister's answer pure sophistry.

call an answer pure sophistry

同義詞
  • rhetoric

    broader; rhetoric can be skillful and persuasive without being false

  • spin

    less formal and especially common in politics or media

  • double talk

    more informal and often suggests evasive or confusing speech

反義詞
  • logic

    focuses on sound reasoning that follows a clear line

  • honesty

    stresses openness rather than misleading persuasion

文法句型

rely on sophistry

dismiss something as sophistry

political sophistry

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and used in formal criticism of a whole way of arguing. Distinguish from sense 2, which points to one particular deceptive claim or excuse.

常見錯誤

❌The design shows great sophistry.
✅The design shows great sophistication.
💡'sophistry' criticizes misleading reasoning, not polished style or complexity.

2. a single clever-sounding claim or explanation used to hide the fact that somethi

2.名詞C2
釋義

a single clever-sounding claim or explanation used to hide the fact that something is false.

例句

Christopher's claim that overtime is rest was a piece of sophistry.

a piece of sophistry

The landlord's free parking argument was sophistry because the fee rose.

call an argument sophistry

同義詞
  • fallacy

    names a mistaken line of reasoning, but it does not always suggest deliberate deception

  • excuse

    more everyday and can be sincere rather than tricky

  • spin

    less formal and often used for a favorable but misleading explanation

反義詞
  • fact

    a statement that can be checked and shown to be true

  • proof

    evidence that supports a claim rather than hiding weakness

文法句型

a piece of sophistry

call something sophistry

the sophistry in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used for one excuse, label, or point that sounds neat but does not stand up to facts. Distinguish from sense 1, which criticizes an overall style of misleading argument.

常見錯誤

❌Her excuse was good sophistry.
✅Her excuse was a clever argument.
💡'sophistry' is negative and says the reasoning is deceptive, not admirable.