1. reasoning that seems clever but is actually misleading or false

Examples

• The politician’s argument was pure sophistry designed to confuse voters.
• Don’t be fooled by his sophistry; his reasoning has serious flaws.
• The lawyer’s sophistry made the weak case sound convincing.
• She saw through the sophistry and pointed out the logical errors.
• Academic debates should rely on facts, not sophistry.
• His sophistry impressed those who didn’t think critically about his claims.