What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
factitious
Example
The painting was factitious, created by an artist to mimic the style of a famous painter. [factitious: adjective]
Example
Her smile seemed factitious, as if she were pretending to be happy. [factitious: adjective]
spurious
Example
The website contained spurious information, designed to mislead readers. [spurious: adjective]
Example
His claim to be a doctor was spurious, as he had no medical training. [spurious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spurious is more commonly used than factitious in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between factitious and spurious?
Both factitious and spurious are formal words that are typically used in academic or professional settings, although spurious may be used more frequently in informal contexts as well.
