fallacy

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/ˈfæləsi/
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A mistaken line of reasoning that makes an argument appear sound though it isn’t.

Examples

  • The debate was marred by a classic fallacy of straw man.
  • He pointed out the fallacy in the reasoning before the vote.
  • A hidden fallacy can make a persuasive speech sound logical.
  • The garden's laughter is a gentle fallacy that adds emotion.
  • The author's argument contains a fallacy that undermines the whole conclusion.

Similar words

personification
myth
mistake
paralogism
untruth
error
misconception
error
anthropomorphism
projection

Meanings

Flawed reasoning

noun
logic
neutral
A mistaken line of reasoning that appears valid but is actually invalid, making an argument deceptive or misleading.

Examples

  • The author's argument contains a fallacy that undermines the whole conclusion.
  • When you ignore the premise, you create a fallacy of relevance.
  • The debate was marred by a classic fallacy of straw man.
  • Even experts can fall into a fallacy if they misuse statistics.
  • He pointed out the fallacy in the reasoning before the vote.
  • A hidden fallacy can make a persuasive speech sound logical.
  • Students learn to spot a fallacy in their logic class.

Similar words

Widely held false belief

noun
everyday
neutral
An idea that many people accept as true even though it is false because it is based on incorrect information or reasoning.

Examples

  • The belief that vaccines cause autism is a common fallacy.
  • Thinking that money buys happiness is a popular fallacy.
  • Many people accept the fallacy that you must work 80 hours a week to succeed.
  • The myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice is a fallacy.
  • He spread the fallacy that the product was free when it was not.
  • Social media often amplifies the fallacy that everyone is living perfect lives.
  • Challenging the fallacy can help people see the truth.

Similar words

Attributing human emotions to nature

noun
literature
neutral
A literary device that gives inanimate objects or natural phenomena human feelings or characteristics.

Examples

  • The storm's angry roar is a fallacy that gives the weather human mood.
  • In the poem, the sunrise is described with a fallacy of hope.
  • The author uses a fallacy when the mountain sighs in sorrow.
  • Her description of the river as jealous is a literary fallacy.
  • The night sky's cold stare is a fallacy that personifies nature.
  • He employs a fallacy to make the forest seem angry.
  • The garden's laughter is a gentle fallacy that adds emotion.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English fallace, borrowed from Old French fallacie, which comes from Latin fallacia ‘deceit’, derived from fallax ‘deceptive’.

FAQ

What does fallacy mean?

It is a mistaken line of reasoning that makes an argument seem sound even though it isn’t.

What are the different meanings of fallacy?

It can refer to flawed reasoning in logic, a widely held false belief, or a literary device that gives human emotions to nature.

What is a logical fallacy?

It is a mistaken line of reasoning that appears valid but is actually invalid.

What is an everyday fallacy?

It is an idea many people accept as true even though it is false.

What literary device is described as attributing human emotions to nature?

That device is called fallacy, a form of personification that gives inanimate objects human feelings.

What is the plural of fallacy?

The plural form is fallacies.

What are some synonyms for fallacy in the logical sense?

Synonyms include error, mistake, flaw, invalidity, paralogism, unsoundness, misstep.

What are some synonyms for fallacy in the everyday sense?

Synonyms include myth, misconception, delusion, error, mistake, falsehood, untruth.

What are some synonyms for fallacy in the literary sense?

Synonyms include personification, anthropomorphism, ascription, humanization, projection, metaphor, imagery.

What is the origin of the word fallacy?

It comes from Middle English fallace, from Old French fallacie, which derives from Latin fallacia ‘deceit’, from fallax ‘deceptive’.

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