Specious vs. Spurious: What's the Difference?
Specious and Spurious Definitions
Specious
Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually fallacious
A specious argument.
Spurious
Lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin; not genuine
Spurious poems attributed to Shakespeare.
Specious
Deceptively appealing
"It is easy enough to give the old idea [of programmatic music] a specious air of modernity" (Aaron Copland).
Spurious
Not trustworthy; dubious or fallacious
Spurious reasoning.
A spurious justification.
Specious
Seemingly well-reasoned, plausible or true, but actually fallacious.
This idea that we must see through what we have started is specious, however good it may sound.
ADVERTISEMENT
Spurious
(Archaic) Born to unwed parents.
Specious
Employing fallacious but deceptively plausible arguments; deceitful.
Spurious
False, not authentic, not genuine.
His argument was spurious and had no validity.
Specious
Having an attractive appearance intended to generate a favorable response; deceptively attractive.
Spurious
Extraneous; stray; not relevant or wanted.
I tried to concentrate on the matter in hand, but spurious thoughts kept intruding.
Spurious emissions from the wireless mast were causing nearby electrical equipment to go haywire.
ADVERTISEMENT
Specious
(obsolete) Beautiful, pleasing to look at.
Spurious
(archaic) bastardly, illegitimate
Specious
Alt form of speciose.
Spurious
Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; counterfeit; false; adulterate.
Specious
Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy.
Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye.
The rest, far greater part,Will deem in outward rites and specious formsReligion satisfied.
ADVERTISEMENT
Spurious
Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue.
Specious
Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument.
Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property.
In consequence of their greater command of specious expression.
Spurious
Plausible but false;
Specious reasoning
The spurious inferences from obsolescent notions of causality
Specious
Plausible but false;
Specious reasoning
The spurious inferences from obsolescent notions of causality
Spurious
Born out of wedlock;
The dominions of both rulers passed away to their spurious or doubtful offspring
Specious
Plausible but false;
A specious claim
Spurious
Intended to deceive;
A spurious work of art
Specious
Based on pretense; deceptively pleasing;
The gilded and perfumed but inwardly rotten nobility
Meretricious praise
A meretricious argument
