What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paralogism
Example
The paralogism in his argument was easy to spot once you examined it more closely. [paralogism: noun]
Example
She fell for the paralogism in his argument and ended up making the wrong decision. [paralogism: noun]
sophism
Example
His argument was a sophism designed to mislead and confuse his opponents. [sophism: noun]
Example
She saw through the sophism in his argument and called him out on it. [sophism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paralogism is less common than sophism in everyday language. Paralogism is more commonly used in academic or technical contexts, while sophism is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paralogism and sophism?
Paralogism is typically associated with a more formal tone, while sophism can be used in both formal and informal contexts.