What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
speciously
Example
The politician's specious argument convinced many people, but it was later revealed to be based on false information. [specious: adjective]
Example
The company's specious claims about their product's effectiveness were quickly debunked by independent studies. [speciously: adverb]
misleadingly
Example
The advertisement for the weight loss supplement was misleadingly promising quick and easy results. [misleadingly: adverb]
Example
The article's headline was misleadingly sensational, leading readers to believe something that wasn't entirely true. [misleadingly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misleadingly is more commonly used than speciously in everyday language, as it is a more general term that can be applied to a wider range of situations. Speciously is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between speciously and misleadingly?
Speciously is more formal than misleadingly, which is more commonly used in everyday language. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and tone of the communication.
