1. relating to or involving the use of clever but misleading reasoning, especially to justify something morally questionable
Usage: often pejorative; formal
2. of or relating to casuistry; involving the application of general moral principles to specific cases
Usage: technical; philosophy/theology

Examples

• His casuistical argument tried to justify the unethical decision by twisting the facts.
• The lawyer's casuistical reasoning convinced some jurors, though it lacked genuine merit.
• She dismissed his casuistical excuses as mere wordplay designed to avoid responsibility.
• The politician's casuistical interpretation of the law angered transparency advocates.
• Medieval theologians engaged in casuistical debates about moral dilemmas.
• His casuistical logic was clever but ultimately dishonest.