Sophist

/ˈsɑːfɪst/
noun

A person who uses clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.

He is a master sophist who can turn any argument to his advantage.
Visual representation of "sophist" - A person who uses clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving

Often appears as...

  • clever sophist
  • greek sophist

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

noun

In ancient Greece, a professional teacher of philosophy and rhetoric.

In Athens, Socrates was often mistaken for a sophist because of his teaching style.
Visual representation of "sophist" - In ancient Greece, a professional teacher of philosophy and rhetoric

Often appears as...

  • greek sophist
  • influential sophist

Usage tips

Formal, Neutral

Historical

noun

A person who uses clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.

He is a master sophist who can turn any argument to his advantage.
Visual representation of "sophist" - A person who uses clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving

Often appears as...

  • clever sophist
  • greek sophist

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

noun

In ancient Greece, a professional teacher of philosophy and rhetoric.

In Athens, Socrates was often mistaken for a sophist because of his teaching style.
Visual representation of "sophist" - In ancient Greece, a professional teacher of philosophy and rhetoric

Often appears as...

  • greek sophist
  • influential sophist

Usage tips

Formal, Neutral

Historical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "sophist"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

The term 'sophist' suggests dishonesty and is used to criticize someone's argument.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His excuse sounded like that of a sophist, more to escape blame than to tell the truth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Deceptive Arguments

'Sophist' can describe someone who is persuasive but misleading in their reasoning.

Illustration for Deceptive Arguments
Be wary of the sophist's charming rhetoric; it's designed to deceive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Insincere Tactics

A sophist may seem convincing, but uses arguments that lack sincerity or truth.

Illustration for Insincere Tactics
Despite his confident demeanor, the politician was merely a sophist.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

The term 'sophist' suggests dishonesty and is used to criticize someone's argument.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His excuse sounded like that of a sophist, more to escape blame than to tell the truth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Deceptive Arguments

'Sophist' can describe someone who is persuasive but misleading in their reasoning.

Illustration for Deceptive Arguments
Be wary of the sophist's charming rhetoric; it's designed to deceive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Insincere Tactics

A sophist may seem convincing, but uses arguments that lack sincerity or truth.

Illustration for Insincere Tactics
Despite his confident demeanor, the politician was merely a sophist.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

The term 'sophist' suggests dishonesty and is used to criticize someone's argument.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His excuse sounded like that of a sophist, more to escape blame than to tell the truth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Deceptive Arguments

'Sophist' can describe someone who is persuasive but misleading in their reasoning.

Illustration for Deceptive Arguments
Be wary of the sophist's charming rhetoric; it's designed to deceive.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Insincere Tactics

A sophist may seem convincing, but uses arguments that lack sincerity or truth.

Illustration for Insincere Tactics
Despite his confident demeanor, the politician was merely a sophist.
Visual representation of the word "Sophist"

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Quote examples

Apollonius of Tyana

Greek Philosopher

I feel friendship towards philosophers, but towards sophists, teachers of literature, or any other such kind of godforsaken people, I neither feel friendship now, nor may I ever do so in the future.
Portrait of Apollonius of Tyana

Quote examples

Daniel S. Loeb

American Businessman

I fantasize that our politicians have been moved by the dialogues of Plato, and thus contemplate the ancient conflict of the sophists versus the lovers of truth.
Portrait of Daniel S. Loeb

Quote examples

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

German Poet

Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist.
Portrait of Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

Quote examples

Sophocles

Greek Poet

A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist.
Portrait of Sophocles

Quote examples

Apollonius of Tyana

Greek Philosopher

I feel friendship towards philosophers, but towards sophists, teachers of literature, or any other such kind of godforsaken people, I neither feel friendship now, nor may I ever do so in the future.
Portrait of Apollonius of Tyana

Quote examples

Daniel S. Loeb

American Businessman

I fantasize that our politicians have been moved by the dialogues of Plato, and thus contemplate the ancient conflict of the sophists versus the lovers of truth.
Portrait of Daniel S. Loeb

Quote examples

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

German Poet

Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist.
Portrait of Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

Quote examples

Sophocles

Greek Poet

A soul that is kind and intends justice discovers more than any sophist.
Portrait of Sophocles
Example 1 of 4
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