Sophism (noun)

1. A clever but fallacious argument, often used to deceive.
2. A seemingly plausible but fallacious argument.
3. A subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.

Origin:

The word "sophism" comes from the greek word "sophisma" which means "clever or witty deception" and was used to refer to a clever but fallacious argument.

Examples:

1. The politician's argument was a sophism designed to deceive the public.
2. His argument was nothing but a sophism, meant to mislead.
3. The lawyer's sophism was exposed when the evidence was presented.
4. The sophism was used to avoid answering the question.
5. The sophism was pointed out by the professor and the student was unable to defend it.