specious ˈspiʃəs adjective
1. plausible but false
2. based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
The word specious has appeared in 32 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Dec. 8 in “Golden Globes 2026 Snubs: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Misses a Major Nomination,” by Kyle Buchanan. The article discusses “some questionable box-office nods”:
The Golden Globe honoring “cinematic and box office achievement” is a specious one, almost certainly added in recent years to include blockbusters that might not otherwise get their due. This makes it all the more surprising to see a well-regarded hit like “Superman” passed over for “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” a film that has not come out and has therefore made no money yet, as well as “KPop Demon Hunters,” a Netflix sensation that the streamer only put into theaters for two weekend-long stunts.
Daily Word Challenge
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