- Today's Word
Fallacious
fuh-LAY-shus
Definition
- (adjective) Based on a mistaken belief or misleading reasoning.
- Logically unsound or deceptive.
Example
His argument was fallacious, relying on false assumptions rather than solid evidence.
Fun Fact
“Fallacious” comes from the Latin fallacia, meaning “deception” or “trickery.” The term is closely linked to logical fallacies—errors in reasoning that often appear persuasive but are fundamentally flawed. Common examples include the slippery slope fallacy and ad hominem attacks. Recognizing fallacious reasoning is a key skill in debate, critical thinking, and media literacy, helping people avoid being misled by faulty logic.
(adjective) Fluent and confident in speech, but shallow, insincere, or lacking thought.
His glib explanation sounded convincing, but it crumbled under basic questioning.
Mid 17th century: probably from Low German glibberig, meaning “slippery.”