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Fallacy: alternatives and connections

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Fallacy

Deceptive or false appearance; deceitfulness; that which misleads the eye or the mind; deception.

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45 useful connections shown 8 reviewed relationships and 37 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 1

Misconception 76% connected

Erroneous conception; false opinion; wrong understanding.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Narrower term 4

Paralogism 76% connected

A reasoning which is false in point of form, that is, which is contrary to logical rules or formulae; a formal fallacy, or pseudo-syllogism, in which…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Sophism 76% connected

The doctrine or mode of reasoning practiced by a sophist; hence, any fallacy designed to deceive.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Sophistication 76% connected

The act of sophisticating; adulteration; as, the sophistication of drugs.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Sophistry 76% connected

The art or process of reasoning; logic.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Derivationally related 2

Fallacious 74% connected

Embodying or pertaining to a fallacy; illogical; fitted to deceive; misleading; delusive; as, fallacious arguments or reasoning.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Fallacious 74% connected

Embodying or pertaining to a fallacy; illogical; fitted to deceive; misleading; delusive; as, fallacious arguments or reasoning.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Academic alternative 1

Analysis 82% connected

A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses or of the intellect, into its constituent or original elements; an examination of the compo…

critical thinking vocabulary 55% interchangeable

A flaw in reasoning.

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Words found in the same groups

These words appear together in curated vocabulary groups. They may be alternatives, contrasts or neighbouring ideas, so check the definition before replacing your original word.

Evaluation noun · 80% connection

Valuation; appraisement.

Appears with this word in Critical thinking vocabulary.
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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Cogency noun · 86% connection

the quality of being valid and rigorous

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Contradiction noun · 86% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Contradiction in terms noun · 86% connection

(logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement ‘he is brave and he is not brave’ is a contradiction"

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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False belief noun · 86% connection

a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Rigor noun · 86% connection

the quality of being valid and rigorous

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Rigour noun · 86% connection

the quality of being valid and rigorous

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Validity noun · 86% connection

the quality of being valid and rigorous

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking, Logic and argument.
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Argument noun · 85% connection

a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your l…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Argumentation noun · 85% connection

a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning; "I can't follow your l…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Assumption noun · 85% connection

a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured, we can i…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Conclusion noun · 85% connection

the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning (such as the proposition that must follow from the major and minor premises of a syllo…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Debate noun · 85% connection

a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on"

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Deduction noun · 85% connection

reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Deductive reasoning noun · 85% connection

reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Evidence noun · 85% connection

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief; "the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is very compellin…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking.
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Grounds noun · 85% connection

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief; "the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is very compellin…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Critical thinking.
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Implication noun · 85% connection

something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied); "his resignation had political implications"

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Inference noun · 85% connection

the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusi…

Used in the same subject area: Academic vocabulary, Philosophy, Logic and argument.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Balk verb · 78% connection

A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Bluff noun · 78% connection

the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Calumniation noun · 78% connection

False accusation of crime or offense, or a malicious and false representation of the words or actions of another, with a view to injur…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Cheat noun · 78% connection

An act of deception or fraud; that which is the means of fraud or deception; a fraud; a trick; imposition; imposture.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Claptrap adjective · 78% connection

Contrived for the purpose of making a show, or gaining applause; deceptive; unreal.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
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Color verb · 78% connection

To change or alter, as if by dyeing or painting; to give a false appearance to; usually, to give a specious appearance to; to cause to…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Counterfeiter noun · 78% connection

One who assumes a false appearance or semblance; one who makes false pretenses.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
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Croup noun · 78% connection

An inflammatory affection of the larynx or trachea, accompanied by a hoarse, ringing cough and stridulous, difficult breathing; esp.,…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
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Deceit noun · 78% connection

An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Deceitfulness noun · 78% connection

The disposition to deceive; as, a man's deceitfulness may be habitual.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Deceptive adjective · 78% connection

Tending to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with false opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or appearance.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
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Deceptory adjective · 78% connection

Deceptive.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
Definition Compare
Decoy noun · 78% connection

Anything intended to lead into a snare; a lure that deceives and misleads into danger, or into the power of an enemy; a bait.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: deceptive, false, appearance, deceitfulness, misleads.
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