Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Captious

//ˈkæpʃəs// adj

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    That captures; especially, (of an argument, words etc.) designed to capture or entrap in misleading arguments; sophistical. obsolete

    "[…]I know I loue in vaine, ſtriue againſt hope : Yet in this captious, and intemible Siue I ſtill poure in the waters of my loue And lacke not to looſe ſtill[…]"

  2. 2
    Having a disposition to find fault unreasonably or to raise petty objections; cavilling, nitpicky.

    "...not an irritable word had escaped him; and as every captious conclusion and petulant observation had been in days past always attributed, very justly, by Isabella either to the dyspepsia, brought on by his grief for Margarita, or the fever he sustained from the climate,..."

Adjective
  1. 1
    tending to find and call attention to faults wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English capcious, from Middle French captieux, or its source, Latin captiōsus, from captiō.

See also for "captious"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: captious