unconvincing

USAGE SUMMARY

"unconvincing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not convincing or believable. Example sentence: His argument was unconvincing and I still wasn't convinced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lorre could stand in for any kind of suspicious foreigner – for instance The Maltese Falcon's (1941) Joel Cairo, a man with many passports, all equally unconvincing.

The Guardian - Film

They were probably right too; there's still something unconvincing about Barcelona.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Cohn eventually gets around to admitting thatIn the end, the so-called scientific consensus on global warming doesn't look like much like consensus when scientists are struggling to explain the intricacies of the earth's climate system, or uttering the word "uncertainty" with striking regularity.But his attempt to minimise the political relevance of this is unconvincing.

The Economist

It is a gamble for the president because the case for the prosecution is increasingly compelling if it is decided on the evidence and what has been revealed so far of the case for the defence is unconvincing.

The Economist

The idea that they might be able to export their way out of trouble is unconvincing.

The Economist

No wonder Labour hopes to limit debate on the subject by not saying what the minimum wage would be, leaving that to a post-election Low Pay Commission which will include representatives of both employers and employees.When Labour does discuss the policy, its arguments are unconvincing.

The Economist

And it is meaningless: the gold-starred blue flag flutters all over Europe, even without a constitution.There is something unconvincing about the way the ratifiers, led by diehard fans such as Italy, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg, explain how their beloved constitution ended up in its present pickle.

The Economist

Although Mr Ahmadinejad undoubtedly continues to enjoy considerable support, for example among conservatives and rural voters, the claimed scale of his triumph is unconvincing.

The Economist

Hence the talk of a Kleiner Perkins keiretsu, based around the eponymous venture-capital firm.Despite all this, however, the idea that the basic agent in the modern economy is ceasing to be the firm and becoming the network is unconvincing.

The Economist

According to opinion polls, most voters assume that he is a toff.Mainly, though, it is changed circumstances that make Britain's present leaders unconvincing as conviction politicians.

The Economist

On September 9th the Public Accounts Committee argued that the Department for Transport's case for the high-speed line had so far been unconvincing given the rising price tag.In this section Lights, action, meltdown Cracking the oligopoly Bigmouth strikes again One direction Plastic pounds Estate of nature Generation gap In thrall to the brothers ReprintsPolitical support is changing, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unconvincing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking persuasion or credibility. Provide specific details to support why something is perceived as "unconvincing".

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "unconvincing" without explaining why. Providing concrete examples or reasons will strengthen your argument and make your criticism more effective.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unconvincing" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing something that fails to persuade or inspire belief. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly used to critique arguments or explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "unconvincing" is an adjective used to describe something that fails to persuade or inspire belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed, particularly in news and media, to critique arguments or explanations. Alternatives such as "not persuasive" or "lacking credibility" offer similar meanings. When using "unconvincing", it's crucial to substantiate your claim with specific details to enhance your argument's effectiveness. Avoid simply labeling something as "unconvincing" without providing reasoning. The word maintains a neutral register and serves as a key term for expressing doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not persuasive

Focuses on the lack of ability to persuade.

lacking credibility

Highlights the absence of believability.

weak argument

Emphasizes the feebleness of the presented reasoning.

flimsy excuse

Suggests the explanation is thin and easily broken.

dubious claim

Indicates the assertion is questionable or doubtful.

questionable rationale

Focuses on the suspect reasoning behind something.

hard to believe

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the statement as true.

scarcely plausible

Highlights the low level of believability.

deficient in persuasion

A more formal way of saying lacking persuasiveness.

untenable

Suggests the argument cannot be defended or maintained.

FAQs

How can I use "unconvincing" in a sentence?

You can use "unconvincing" to describe arguments, explanations, or performances that fail to persuade or convince. For instance, "His explanation for being late was "unconvincing", as he couldn't provide any valid reasons".

What are some alternatives to the word "unconvincing"?

Alternatives to "unconvincing" include "not persuasive", "lacking credibility", or "weak argument", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unconvincing" or "not convincing"?

"Unconvincing" and "not convincing" are largely interchangeable, but "unconvincing" may sound slightly more concise and direct. The choice often depends on personal preference and the flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "unconvincing" and "implausible"?

"Unconvincing" suggests a failure to persuade, while "implausible" indicates something is unlikely or hard to believe. Something can be "implausible" without necessarily being "unconvincing" if presented well, and vice versa.