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fallacy

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈfæləsi/

fallacy means: An argument that seems convincing but contains a mistake in its reasoning.

noun

FAULTY ARGUMENTC1

An argument that seems convincing but contains a mistake in its reasoning.

  • His argument contains a logical fallacy.
  • She spotted a fallacy in the speaker's reasoning.
  • Attacking the person instead of the argument is a fallacy.

Similar words: faulty argument, sophism

Common phrases: a logical fallacy, commit a fallacy, spot a fallacy

WRONG CONCLUSIONC1

A belief or conclusion that is wrong, often because it is based on poor reasoning.

  • That belief is a fallacy.
  • It's a common fallacy that expensive products are always better.
  • The report exposed several fallacies about poverty.

How to use it: the fallacy that… (She challenged the fallacy that success always brings happiness.)

Similar words: misconception, false belief, error

Opposites: truth

Common phrases: a common fallacy, a dangerous fallacy, expose a fallacy

DECEPTIVE APPEARANCEC2

An appearance that tricks you into seeing or believing something that is not real.

  • The apparent depth was a visual fallacy.
  • He mistook a fallacy of appearance for solid evidence.
  • These optical fallacies can deceive even a careful observer.

Similar words: illusion, deception

Opposites: reality

Common phrases: a visual fallacy, a fallacy of appearance, an optical fallacy

Questions about fallacy

What does fallacy mean?

An argument that seems convincing but contains a mistake in its reasoning.

What is fallacy in other languages?

Türkçe: safsata · Español: falacia · Français: sophisme · Deutsch: Fehlschluss · Italiano: fallacia · 日本語: 誤謬

How do you pronounce fallacy?

It is pronounced /ˈfæləsi/.

How do you use fallacy in a sentence?

His argument contains a logical fallacy. She spotted a fallacy in the speaker's reasoning.

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fallacy in other languages

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