Disingenuine vs. Disingenuous: Decoding the Right Spelling
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By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 30, 2023
"Disingenuine is incorrect spelling while Disingenuous is correct, meaning not truly honest or sincere, often by pretending to know less than one does."
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Which is correct: Disingenuine or Disingenuous
How to spell Disingenuous?
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Disingenuine is Incorrect
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Disingenuous is Correct
How to remember correct spelling of Disingenuous?
Visualize the word as 'Dis-Ingenious', where 'ingenious' hints at clever deceit.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Note the 'ous' at the end of 'disingenuous', common in adjectives like 'courageous'.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Think of 'disingenuous' as having an 'extra' syllable compared to 'disingenuine'.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Associate 'disingenuous' with 'insincere', both ending in 'ous', reinforcing the correct spelling.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Remember that 'genuine' and 'disingenuous' have different roots; 'disingenuous' links to 'ingenuous', not 'genuine'.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Disingenuous Definitions
Feigning innocence or simplicity
His disingenuous charm concealed his real motives in the negotiation.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Lacking in frankness or sincerity
She gave a disingenuous apology, clearly not feeling remorseful.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Not straightforward or candid
Their disingenuous marketing tactics misled customers about the product's benefits.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Hiding true intentions under a veneer of honesty
Her disingenuous smile was a cover for her competitive nature.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Pretending to be unaware or naive
His disingenuous questions about the scandal were an act to avoid blame.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
“Increasingly, the question of immigration has become a disingenuous stalking-horse for race and racial hostility” (Tyler Stovall).
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated; faux-naïf.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Usage Problem Unaware or uninformed; naive.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Not honourable; unworthy of honour
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Not ingenuous; not frank or open
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Assuming a pose of naïveté to make a point or for deception.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; as, disingenuous conduct or schemes.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Not ingenuous; wanting in noble candor or frankness; not frank or open; uncandid; unworthily or meanly artful.
So disingenuous as not to confess them [faults].
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness;
An ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time
A disingenuous excuse
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What part of speech is 'Disingenuous'?
'Disingenuous' is an adjective, used to describe someone who is not sincere or straightforward.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Why is 'Disingenuine' incorrect?
'Disingenuine' incorrectly blends 'dis-' with 'genuine', a separate word with different etymological roots from 'ingenuous'.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Can 'Disingenuous' have a positive connotation?
Typically, 'disingenuous' has a negative connotation, implying deceit or insincerity.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Is there a noun form of 'Disingenuous'?
Yes, the noun form is 'disingenuousness'.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Does 'Disingenuous' have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms include insincere, deceitful, and duplicitous.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
What is the origin of the word 'Disingenuous'?
Disingenuous comes from the Latin word 'ingenuus', meaning natural or freeborn, and the prefix 'dis-', indicating a reversal.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Is 'Disingenuous' a modern English word?
Yes, 'disingenuous' is used in modern English, but its roots trace back to Latin.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
How can 'Disingenuous' be used in a sentence?
"His disingenuous remarks during the meeting were aimed at misleading his colleagues."
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
What is the difference in use between 'Ingenious' and 'Disingenuous'?
'Ingenious' refers to cleverness or creativity, while 'disingenuous' refers to a lack of sincerity.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Is 'Disingenuous' often used in everyday conversation?
It's more common in formal contexts, but it can be used in everyday conversation to describe insincerity.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Are there any common misuses of 'Disingenuous'?
It's often mistakenly used as a synonym for 'unintelligent', which is incorrect.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Can 'Disingenuous' be used in a legal context?
Yes, it can describe someone's deceitful behavior in legal discussions or documents.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
What is the adjective form of 'Genuine'?
The adjective form is 'genuine' itself, meaning authentic or sincere.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
How can one avoid being disingenuous?
By being honest, straightforward, and sincere in one's actions and speech.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
Is 'Disingenuine' recognized in any English dictionaries?
No, 'disingenuine' is not recognized as a correct word in standard English dictionaries.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 30, 2023
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Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.