1
Core quality
Not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
Example
It was disingenuous to claim that no one had raised the issue.
disingenuous
/ˌdɪsɪnˈdʒenjuəs/ · dis-in-JEN-yoo-usadjective
Not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
Use disingenuous to express this relationship precisely: not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
What disingenuous Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Her apology sounded polite but disingenuous.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The comparison is disingenuous because it omits a crucial difference.
Use disingenuous Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
It was disingenuous to claim that no one had raised the issue.
Her apology sounded polite but disingenuous.
The comparison is disingenuous because it omits a crucial difference.
Precision Matters
Disingenuous overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
disingenuous
vs.Means not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
candid
Means honest, direct, and unguarded in expression.
disingenuous
vs.Means not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
guile
Means clever but deceptive cunning used to influence others or achieve an aim.
disingenuous
vs.Means not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
explicit
Means stated directly and with complete clarity.
disingenuous
vs.Means not candid or sincere, especially when pretending ignorance, innocence, or honesty.
furtive
Means secretive and cautious in an attempt to avoid being noticed or discovered.
Test disingenuous in Context
The claim pretends innocence despite evidence that the speaker knew the truth.
1
The executive's claim that the risks were unforeseeable was ___, since internal reports had described them repeatedly.