as in ambiguity
reasoning or arguments that sound correct but are actually false
She said that many of the points made during the debate were pure sophistry.
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Recent Examples of sophistry
Many of Khan’s progressive allies have floated a much more realistic cure for Khan’s abysmal litigation track record: to rewrite antitrust laws in Congress, where laws are made, instead of losing case after case in court with tortured legalistic sophistry and ad hoc judicial rulemaking.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2023
Dickie, a student at Trinity College, wanders into a club debate, where he’s bewitched by the quicksilver sophistry of one of his peers, Willie, who is openly gay.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023
While much of the book is devoted to contrasting the subtle reality of judicial decision-making with the crude portrayal that increasingly dominates popular discourse, the subtleties to which Breyer draws our attention are mostly sophistry—as Breyer more or less concedes.
—Ryan D. Doerfler, The New Republic, 13 Oct. 2021
People know just enough to engage in sophistry so as to confuse and convince the choir, and bluster among the ignorant.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2013
See all Example Sentences for sophistry 
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2023
Dickie, a student at Trinity College, wanders into a club debate, where he’s bewitched by the quicksilver sophistry of one of his peers, Willie, who is openly gay.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023
While much of the book is devoted to contrasting the subtle reality of judicial decision-making with the crude portrayal that increasingly dominates popular discourse, the subtleties to which Breyer draws our attention are mostly sophistry—as Breyer more or less concedes.
—Ryan D. Doerfler, The New Republic, 13 Oct. 2021
People know just enough to engage in sophistry so as to confuse and convince the choir, and bluster among the ignorant.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2013
See all Example Sentences for sophistry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophistry
Noun
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Some legal scholars say ambiguity about Musk's precise actions behind the scenes could also complicate his critics' legal challenges.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2025
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But that email and a cascade of follow up messages, FAQs and the resignation agreement language are mired in ambiguities and contradictions, labor law experts said.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since its launch, in 2011—a direct response to the 2008 financial crisis—the CFPB has focused on protecting Americans from various forms of financial fraud and deception.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2025
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The show, starring Kaitlyn Dever as Gibson, explores the dangers of misinformation in the wellness industry and the impact of Gibson's deception on those who followed her advice.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Robinson started out making films, but quickly transitioned to painting, translating the noirish women and gun-toting men of pulp fiction to canvas.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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The executive brings 34 years of industry experience, including 29 years at Sony, with expertise spanning sales, content strategy, and programming across films, music, fiction, and non-fiction entertainment.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sophistry
Cite this Entry
“Sophistry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophistry. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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