it seems disingenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems disingenuous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt about the sincerity or authenticity of someone's statement or behavior. Example: "When he apologized after the incident, it seemed disingenuous given his previous actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But it seems disingenuous to talk about the staged photograph, in this context, without acknowledging its Socialist Realist history.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems disingenuous to maintain simultaneously that Little Richard has fallen off the cultural radar but is also too well documented to warrant a more comprehensive examination.

The New York Times - Books

It seems disingenuous to ask a writer why she, or he, is writing about a violent subject when the world and history are filled with violence.

The New York Times

In that context, it seems disingenuous for the D.A.'s office to claim that there was "no choice" but not to bring charges.

The New Yorker

The history of English letters refutes this notion at almost every turn — there are far more hacks than gentlemen to be found in the canon — and it seems disingenuous for Hollywood hacks to be endorsing it.

The New York Times

So it seems disingenuous for the co-founders to now say that they need to change the corporate structure yet again so that they will be able to keep control in perpetuity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Coming at the same time that CEO Eric Schmidt attacks Azure as a way "to gain enough share in cloud computing to force other people to use its standards," the use of Flash and the reluctance to answer direct questions about it seem disingenuous, something Google has steered clear of as it builds out its own standards such as Chrome and Android.

TechCrunch

It seemed disingenuous to feel sorry for them after all, they had achieved far more success in their careers than I ever had and ever could.

Vice

It seemed disingenuous to feel sorry for them – after all, they had achieved far more success in their careers than I ever had and ever could.

Vice

In the same vein, it seemed disingenuous to insist on a formal debriefing on same-sex relationships, but I worried that by avoiding educating my daughter, I would be inadvertently sending a message that I was uncomfortable with their relationship, or that there was something innately wrong with gay partnerships.

Huffington Post

It just seems disingenuous".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems disingenuous" when you want to express a reasoned doubt about someone's sincerity, rather than making a direct accusation. This phrasing allows you to voice your concerns while maintaining a level of politeness or professional distance.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems disingenuous" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "it feels fake" or "that's not genuine" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems disingenuous" functions as an evaluative expression, used to convey a speaker's impression that something lacks sincerity or is not entirely genuine. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is employed to express doubts about the honesty or authenticity of a claim or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems disingenuous" is a useful tool for expressing skepticism and doubt in a polite and nuanced way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in news and media contexts. While effective, be mindful of the formality it conveys and choose more casual alternatives for informal settings. Remember that this phrase suggests a personal impression rather than a definitive judgment of dishonesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears insincere

Focuses on the outward appearance of insincerity, rather than a deeper judgment.

it feels untrustworthy

Emphasizes the feeling of a lack of trustworthiness.

it comes across as dishonest

Highlights the perception of dishonesty.

it rings hollow

Suggests a lack of sincerity or truth, implying emptiness.

it smacks of hypocrisy

Indicates a strong sense of contradiction between words and actions.

it seems artificial

Suggests a lack of genuineness, implying that something is staged or contrived.

it looks contrived

Highlights the perception of being artificially arranged or forced.

it gives the impression of being fake

Focuses on the impression created, rather than a direct assertion of falsehood.

it raises suspicions

Indicates that the statement or action causes doubt or mistrust.

it lacks authenticity

Emphasizes the absence of genuine or original qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems disingenuous" in a sentence?

Use "it seems disingenuous" to express doubt about the sincerity of a statement or action. For example, "It seems disingenuous for him to claim ignorance after being involved in the project from the beginning."

What are some alternatives to "it seems disingenuous"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears insincere", "it feels untrustworthy", or "it rings hollow" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seems disingenuous" formal or informal?

"It seems disingenuous" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it seems disingenuous" and "it is disingenuous"?

"It seems disingenuous" expresses a personal impression or opinion, suggesting a lack of sincerity. "It is disingenuous" is a more direct statement, asserting the insincerity as a fact.