Sophist
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈsɒfɪst/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Sophist is a noun meaning (figurative) A teacher who uses plausible but fallacious reasoning.
Meaning
(figurative) A teacher who uses plausible but fallacious reasoning.
More Meanings
- (figurative, by extension) One who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument.
- (historical) Alternative letter-case form of Sophist, certain teachers in Ancient Greece, particularly skilled orators.
- (dated) Synonym of sophister (“university student who has completed at least one year”).
Example Sentences
[T]hey have acted in this Calumny both the injuſtice of the Tyrant, and the forgery of the Sophiſt.
Word Forms
- sophists
Synonyms for sophist
Depending on context, synonyms include sophister, pilpulist, casuist.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include casuist, torturing, scholarch, antiphon, academian, aristotle.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.