Eristical (Adjective)
Meaning
Given to disputation for its own sake and often employing specious arguments.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The eristical tone of the debate tournament left a sour taste in the judges' mouths, as they felt that the participants were more concerned with winning than with finding the truth.
- His eristical nature made him a formidable opponent in class discussions, but also earned him few friends among his peers.
- The eristical arguments presented by the politician were designed to confuse and mislead rather than genuinely persuade.
- Despite her intelligence and knowledge, she often came across as eristical in online forums, using her quick wit to outmaneuver her opponents rather than engage in constructive dialogue.
- The philosopher's eristical approach to her opponents' views was admirable in its intellectual rigor, but sometimes led her to misrepresent or oversimplify their positions.