Disingenuous
adjective
Not sincere, especially when pretending to know less about something than one really does.
It was disingenuous of her to claim she had no idea about the surprise party.
Often appears as...
- disingenuous claim
- disingenuous argument
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not sincere, especially when pretending to know less about something than one really does.
It was disingenuous of her to claim she had no idea about the surprise party.
Often appears as...
- disingenuous claim
- disingenuous argument
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Feigning Ignorance
Used when someone pretends to know less than they do to avoid blame or criticism.
Acting disingenuous, he denied knowledge of the issue, though he had discussed it last week.
Pro Tip 2/3Insincerity Tone
Disingenuous comments often have a tone that suggests insincerity, causing distrust amongst others.
Her praise sounded disingenuous, given her previous criticism.
Pro Tip 3/3Manipulative Strategy
Often used strategically in arguments or negotiations to mislead or gain advantage.
His disingenuous questions during the debate were aimed at misleading the audience.
Pro Tip 1/3Feigning Ignorance
Used when someone pretends to know less than they do to avoid blame or criticism.
Acting disingenuous, he denied knowledge of the issue, though he had discussed it last week.
Pro Tip 2/3Insincerity Tone
Disingenuous comments often have a tone that suggests insincerity, causing distrust amongst others.
Her praise sounded disingenuous, given her previous criticism.
Pro Tip 3/3Manipulative Strategy
Often used strategically in arguments or negotiations to mislead or gain advantage.
His disingenuous questions during the debate were aimed at misleading the audience.
Pro Tip 1/3Feigning Ignorance
Used when someone pretends to know less than they do to avoid blame or criticism.
Acting disingenuous, he denied knowledge of the issue, though he had discussed it last week.
Pro Tip 2/3Insincerity Tone
Disingenuous comments often have a tone that suggests insincerity, causing distrust amongst others.
Her praise sounded disingenuous, given her previous criticism.
Pro Tip 3/3Manipulative Strategy
Often used strategically in arguments or negotiations to mislead or gain advantage.
His disingenuous questions during the debate were aimed at misleading the audience.
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Video examples
The dividing line...
it's what it looks like I were talking to students everywhere it's on the same thing take the next step if it began to wonder if I was being disingenuous I was saying take the next step but I wasn't taking the next step no it's president for six years and I thought maybe I hacked
Video examples
CERN's supercollider PIPE...
which is always the sign of elegance. This is it. I've been a little disingenuous, because I've expanded it out in all its gory detail. This equation, though, allows you to calculate everything -- other than gravity -- that happens in the universe.
Video examples
The dividing line...
it's what it looks like I were talking to students everywhere it's on the same thing take the next step if it began to wonder if I was being disingenuous I was saying take the next step but I wasn't taking the next step no it's president for six years and I thought maybe I hacked
Video examples
CERN's supercollider PIPE...
which is always the sign of elegance. This is it. I've been a little disingenuous, because I've expanded it out in all its gory detail. This equation, though, allows you to calculate everything -- other than gravity -- that happens in the universe.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Steven Crowder
Canadian Actor
When men get together, they moan about their wives. The commentary provided on marriage between groups of men is typically one from a viewpoint that assumes marriage to be life's greatest, most unfun mistake. Not only is it often as disingenuous as Joe Biden's hairline, but it's incredibly harmful.
Quote examples
Travis Bradberry
American Author
It's difficult to find a genuine weakness that makes you appear competent. For instance, telling your interviewer that your weakness is working so hard that you have trouble prioritizing your family life is a little too cliche and comes across as disingenuous.
Quote examples
Walton Goggins
American Actor
I really believe that when you're playing a character that everything is contained in the script. If I'm pulling from things from my own life, then I think I'm being disingenuous to the character and the story.
Quote examples
Richard Russo
American Novelist
At the risk of appearing disingenuous, I don't really think of myself as 'writing humor.' I'm simply reporting on the world I observe, which is frequently hilarious.
Quote examples
Joyce Carol Oates
American Novelist
It seems disingenuous to ask a writer why she, or he, is writing about a violent subject when the world and history are filled with violence.
Quote examples
Laura Wade
British Playwright
I think it's disingenuous to believe that being born into a privileged world means you feel like you are having an easy time.
Quote examples
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
American Politician
It's disingenuous to... pretend the sources of our money don't impact the policy we write - you just can't serve two masters.
Quote examples
Lisa Bonet
American Actress
I felt devalued and disrespected. The energy behind it felt disingenuous and motivated by corporate profit.
Quote examples
Mae Martin
Canadian Comedian
People have referred to me as 'innocent', which makes me feel disingenuous.
Quote examples
Mick Hucknall
English Singer
Those who say they're not ambitious are being disingenuous.
Quote examples
Steven Crowder
Canadian Actor
When men get together, they moan about their wives. The commentary provided on marriage between groups of men is typically one from a viewpoint that assumes marriage to be life's greatest, most unfun mistake. Not only is it often as disingenuous as Joe Biden's hairline, but it's incredibly harmful.
Quote examples
Travis Bradberry
American Author
It's difficult to find a genuine weakness that makes you appear competent. For instance, telling your interviewer that your weakness is working so hard that you have trouble prioritizing your family life is a little too cliche and comes across as disingenuous.
Quote examples
Walton Goggins
American Actor
I really believe that when you're playing a character that everything is contained in the script. If I'm pulling from things from my own life, then I think I'm being disingenuous to the character and the story.
Quote examples
Richard Russo
American Novelist
At the risk of appearing disingenuous, I don't really think of myself as 'writing humor.' I'm simply reporting on the world I observe, which is frequently hilarious.
Quote examples
Joyce Carol Oates
American Novelist
It seems disingenuous to ask a writer why she, or he, is writing about a violent subject when the world and history are filled with violence.
Quote examples
Laura Wade
British Playwright
I think it's disingenuous to believe that being born into a privileged world means you feel like you are having an easy time.
Quote examples
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
American Politician
It's disingenuous to... pretend the sources of our money don't impact the policy we write - you just can't serve two masters.
Quote examples
Lisa Bonet
American Actress
I felt devalued and disrespected. The energy behind it felt disingenuous and motivated by corporate profit.
Quote examples
Mae Martin
Canadian Comedian
People have referred to me as 'innocent', which makes me feel disingenuous.
Quote examples
Mick Hucknall
English Singer
Those who say they're not ambitious are being disingenuous.
Example 1 of 10
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