WordValedisingenuous
not sincere, pretending to know less or mean better than you do
In more detail
1. (adjective) not honest; pretending to be sincere but actually trying to trick or deceive someone
2. (adjective) not genuine or authentic
Examples
- 1. His apology was disingenuous because he smiled while saying he was sorry.
- 2. The company's claim to care about the environment while polluting rivers was disingenuous.
How to use disingenuous
Disingenuous describes someone who deliberately pretends to be sincere or authentic while actually concealing their true intentions or feelings. It is stronger than merely insincere, implying active deception rather than simple lack of honesty. It is commonly used in political discourse, debates, and critical commentary.
Common phrases
- disingenuous argument
- disingenuous claim
- disingenuous smile
- disingenuous remark
- seems disingenuous
Synonyms
insincere · dishonest · deceptive · duplicitous · false
Opposites
genuine · sincere · honest
Word family
disingenuously (adverb) · disingenuousness (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse it with 'ingenuous' (meaning innocent or naive), which is its opposite rather than a related form.
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