1. using clever but misleading or fallacious reasoning; deceptively plausible but actually invalid
Usage: formal

Examples

• The politician’s sophistical arguments sounded convincing but were full of logical flaws.
• Her sophistical reasoning confused the jury but didn’t address the real evidence.
• The debate was marred by sophistical tactics rather than honest discussion.
• Critics dismissed his theory as sophistical wordplay without substance.
• The lawyer’s sophistical defense relied on technicalities rather than truth.
• Students must learn to identify sophistical arguments in persuasive writing.