spurious
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˈspɝiəs// UK //spjˈʊɹɪəs// spu·ri·ous
adj. not real or true. You use this to describe something that looks like it is genuine but is actually fake or not based on fact.
adj. not genuine or authentic; based on false or misleading information. Often used to describe arguments or evidence that appear valid but are actually flawed.
The evidence was spurious and did not prove his guilt.
The detective realized the suspect's alibi was spurious and based on a lie.
The philosopher argued that the argument was spurious, as it relied on a logical fallacy rather than any actual evidence.
Borrowed from Late Latin spurius (“illegitimate, bastardly”), possibly related to sperno or from Etruscan.