Well-read · Arguing & persuading · Philosophy & belief
Casuistry: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Casuistry noun. Clever but misleading reasoning, especially about right and wrong.
How to say it
KAZ-yoo-iss-tree/ˈkazjʊɪstri/ · American /ˈkæʒuəstri/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (KAZ).
Casuistry in a sentence
It took some casuistry to argue that the 'gift' wasn't really a bribe.
Her lawyer's casuistry impressed the jury less than it impressed the lawyer.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- sophistry
- hair-splitting
- equivocation
- chicanery
Where casuistry comes from
From casuist, a theologian who settled cases of conscience, from Latin casus, case.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Her lawyer's _____ impressed the jury less than it impressed the lawyer.
- casuistry
- harangue
- ratiocination
Show the answer
casuistry: Her lawyer's casuistry impressed the jury less than it impressed the lawyer.