disingenuous

[dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere.

   Her excuse was rather disingenuous.

disingenuous

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈdʒɛnjʊəs /

adjective

1. not sincere; lacking candour

Other Word Forms

• disingenuously adverb
• disingenuousness noun
• nondisingenuous adjective
• nondisingenuously adverb
• nondisingenuousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disingenuous¹

First recorded in 1645–55; dis- ¹ + ingenuous

Example Sentences

Roger’s indignation over gentrification isn’t enough, however, to motivate him to meet a deadline on what he now considers a disingenuous, assigned piece on the “evolving” Brooklyn.

From Los Angeles Times

Doing so, in fact, “would expose as disingenuous the government’s public explanations for moving to unseal.”

From Salon

Ms Wilkie accused the management companies of being disingenuous, lackadaisical and unprofessional, while questioning how the bills can be passed from one firm to another over the past nine years.

From BBC

Labour councillor Heather Keen called the reports "disingenuous, inaccurate and designed to grab attention".

From BBC

The Iranian government found they were dealing with a leader apparently more disingenuous than themselves.

From Salon

Related Words

• deceitful 
• dishonest 
• false 
• unfair