1. arguments that seem clever or reasonable but are actually false or misleading
Usage: plural of sophism; formal

Examples

• The politician’s speech was full of sophisms designed to confuse voters.
• Students learned to identify common sophisms in debate class.
• His argument contained several sophisms that made it sound convincing at first.
• The philosopher exposed the sophisms in his opponent’s reasoning.
• Ancient Greek sophists were known for their clever sophisms.
• The lawyer’s sophisms failed to persuade the jury.