Fallacious

Adjective

Definition: Containing a mistake; based on a false, deceptive, or misleading reasoning.

Synonyms: False, Incorrect, Misleading

Antonyms: Valid, True, Accurate

Examples:

The politician made fallacious claims about his opponent's record.
The advertisement used fallacious arguments to convince people to buy the product.

Mnemonics:

Think of "fallacious" as "falling into error" or "falling for false reasoning."
Picture a scale tipping towards the wrong side, representing fallacious reasoning.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English (in the sense 'deceptive'): from Latin 'fallax', fallac- 'deceptive', from the verb 'fallere' meaning 'to deceive.'

Historical Usage:

The term "fallacious" has been used in English since the late Middle English period, primarily in the context of describing misleading or deceptive reasoning.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Fallacious argument"

Explanation:

Refers to a false or deceptive reasoning used to support a claim, proposition, or belief.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Interchanging "fallacious" with "false" or "incorrect."

Explanation:

While "fallacious" means containing a mistake or based on misleading reasoning, it specifically refers to reasoning processes, arguments, or claims, rather than general accuracy or correctness.