Disingenuous

Adjective

Definition: Not sincere or honest; pretending to be sincere or honest.

Definition: False, deceptive, or misleading in appearance or behavior.

Synonyms: Insincere, Dishonest, Deceitful, Hypocritical

Antonyms: Sincere, Honest, Genuine, Straightforward

Examples:

His apology seemed disingenuous; I could tell he didn't really mean it.
The politician's promises were disingenuous, aimed only at gaining votes.

Mnemonics:

Think of "disingenuous" as "dis-integrous" (meaning lacking integrity or honesty).
"Disingenuous" can be broken down into "dis-" (meaning not) and "ingenuous" (meaning sincere or innocent), implying the opposite of sincerity or innocence.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "disingenuous" originated from the Latin word "disingenuus," which meant "of noble birth." Over time, it evolved to mean "lacking in candor or sincerity."

Historical Usage:

The usage of "disingenuous" dates back to the 17th century. Its meaning has remained relatively consistent throughout history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Disingenuous smile"

Explanation:

Refers to a smile that is not genuine or sincere, often hiding ulterior motives or deceit.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "disingenuous" with "disinterested."

Explanation:

While both words contain the prefix "dis-" (meaning not), they have different meanings. "Disingenuous" refers to being insincere or deceitful, while "disinterested" means unbiased or impartial.