Sophistry

/ˈsɒf.ɪ.stri/ noun hard

Sophistry is an argument built to sound convincing while actually resting on flawed or dishonest logic.

The lawyer's closing argument was pure sophistry, dazzling the jury with clever wordplay rather than solid evidence.

Memory Trick

Sophistry comes from the Greek Sophists, paid teachers famous for winning arguments through clever tricks rather than truth.