disingenuous

adjective

Definition of disingenuousnext
as in dishonest

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disingenuous Plenty of sane people on both sides of the aisle have voiced their displeasure with biological men invading female spaces, so to paint this as a fringe right crusade is disingenuous. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 Getting distracted by a late-stage bombshell would feel disingenuous at this point. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 July 2026 Whipple said that’s disingenuous. — Chance Swaim, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026 And yet to describe the mood as optimistic would be disingenuous. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disingenuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disingenuous
  1. dishonest
  2. deceitful
  3. untruthful
  4. contrived
  5. hypocritical
  6. unnatural
  7. devious
  8. assumed
Adjective
  • If a claim is substantiated, the plagiarist is seen as sloppy or lazy at best, and fundamentally dishonest at worst.
    — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But pretending botanical kratom can’t cause dependence is also dishonest.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • Bogus texts, mystery calls, deceitful emails all aimed at stealing your personal information and your money are relentless.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The mutual trust and goodwill that xenia sought to cultivate has been eroded by this one deceitful act, creating a world that is defined by this moral violation.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of deceitful
Adjective
  • However, subsequent video evidence led officials to claim that the officers involved had likely made untruthful statements about what happened.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In February, federal authorities launched an investigation into two federal immigration agents who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath regarding a nonfatal shooting of an immigrant in Minneapolis in January.
    — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of untruthful
Adjective
  • There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the attention on Cunningham’s comments, the contrived outrage over a fictional trans athlete draft and dumb stunts by former NBA players may have helped drive more folks toward watching the league’s games.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of contrived
Adjective
  • There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake.
    — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That some people in these industries, including those who are well paid, would look at our economy and seek out other ways of doing things is neither hypocritical nor surprising.
    — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Adjective
  • Her parents refuse to see that there is something unnatural about their new baby boy and that an evil other presence haunts their stately home.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers say the approach could help overcome limitations of existing humanoid control systems, which often require extensive fine-tuning or produce rigid, unnatural movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • This week’s run of shows and movies include a grisly House of the Dragon finale, an exciting new horror from Jane Schoenbrun, a rom-com with a devious catch, and the return of Ted Lasso.
    — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The plot involves two sons of rich, miserly fathers in love with girls their fathers will never approve of and what happens when the fathers’ devious servants decide to give the boys a hand.
    — Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
Definition of devious
Adjective
  • In most cases, the entitlement is not fully restored until the assumed loan is paid off, refinanced or otherwise satisfied.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a departure from earlier generations, where having a drink was more often the assumed starting point.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of assumed

Browse Nearby Words

disinformation
disingenuous
disinherit
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Cite this Entry

“Disingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disingenuous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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