Unconvincing: meaning, definitions and examples

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unconvincing

 

[ ˌʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in a debate

Not able to persuade or convince someone; lacking the power to make someone believe or agree with a particular point.

Synonyms

ineffective, uncompelling, uncompelling, unpersuasive.

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Word Description / Examples
unconvincing

Used when something fails to persuade or lacks credibility, even though an attempt was made. Often used for arguments, explanations, or performances.

  • His excuse for being late was unconvincing
  • The movie had an unconvincing plot
unpersuasive

Used when an argument or attempt to convince someone fails. It suggests that the effort made lacks force or influence.

  • His arguments were unpersuasive and did not change anyone's mind
  • The lawyer's unpersuasive case resulted in a loss
uncompelling

Describes something that does not attract interest or attention. It is often used for stories, speeches, or presentations.

  • The book was uncompelling, and I couldn't finish it
  • Her speech was uncompelling and failed to engage the audience
ineffective

Refers to something that doesn't produce the desired outcome. It is commonly applied to methods, strategies, or treatments.

  • The new advertising campaign was ineffective
  • The medicine was ineffective in treating the symptoms

Examples of usage

  • It was an unconvincing argument that failed to sway the jury.
  • His unconvincing explanation left everyone puzzled.
  • The witness gave an unconvincing testimony.
  • The politician's speech was unconvincing and failed to win over the audience.
  • The evidence presented was unconvincing and did not support the prosecution's case.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a performance

Not able to create a feeling of belief or realism; lacking credibility or authenticity.

Synonyms

implausible, incredible, unbelievable, unrealistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unconvincing

Best used when describing arguments, explanations, or performances that fail to persuade or seem lacking in credibility.

  • Her excuse for being late was unconvincing
  • The actor's portrayal of the character felt unconvincing
unbelievable

Used for describing something that is hard to accept as true or real, which can be either positive or negative. Often used interchangeably with 'incredible'.

  • The view from the mountain was unbelievable
  • His excuse was so weak, it was unbelievable
unrealistic

Fits when pointing out ideas, goals, or expectations that are not practical or cannot be achieved in reality.

  • Her dream of becoming a famous actor overnight is unrealistic
  • The project's deadline was completely unrealistic
incredible

Typically used to describe something that is extremely hard to believe due to its extraordinary nature, often in a positive sense.

  • The magician's performance was incredible
  • It was incredible how fast the team finished the project
implausible

Appropriate for situations where something is not believable or unlikely to happen, often referring to ideas, stories, or events.

  • The plot of the movie was totally implausible
  • Some of the theories presented in the book are quite implausible

Examples of usage

  • Her unconvincing acting failed to engage the audience.
  • The special effects were so unconvincing that it ruined the movie.
  • The actor's portrayal of the character was unconvincing and lacked depth.
  • The unconvincing dialogue made the scene feel artificial.
  • The fake accent was unconvincing and distracting.

Translations

Translations of the word "unconvincing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não convincente

🇮🇳 अप्रभावी

🇩🇪 nicht überzeugend

🇮🇩 tidak meyakinkan

🇺🇦 непереконливий

🇵🇱 nieprzekonujący

🇯🇵 説得力がない

🇫🇷 peu convaincant

🇪🇸 poco convincente

🇹🇷 ikna edici olmayan

🇰🇷 설득력이 없는

🇸🇦 غير مقنع

🇨🇿 nepřesvědčivý

🇸🇰 nepresvedčivý

🇨🇳 没有说服力的

🇸🇮 neprepričljiv

🇮🇸 ósannfærandi

🇰🇿 сенімсіз

🇬🇪 დაუმარწმუნებელი

🇦🇿 inandırıcı olmayan

🇲🇽 poco convincente

Etymology

The word 'unconvincing' originated in the early 19th century from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of', and the word 'convincing'. The term has been used to describe arguments, explanations, performances, and evidence that fail to persuade or create a sense of belief or credibility. Over time, 'unconvincing' has become a common adjective used in debates, discussions, and critiques to express skepticism or doubt. Its usage has evolved to encompass various contexts where the lack of persuasiveness or credibility is evident.

See also: convince, convinced, convincing, convincingly, convincingness, unconvinced.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,439, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.