spurious

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Spurious' is when something is not what it pretends to be, or it's false but cleverly designed to seem real. Think of a well-made counterfeit banknote that seems like a genuine bill but isn't.

Examples in Different Contexts

In marketing, 'spurious' claims can harm a brand's reputation. A brand manager might caution, 'Making spurious claims about our product's capabilities could lead to distrust among consumers.'

Practice Scenarios

Creative

Scenario:

This new painting discovered in the auction appears to be from the Renaissance period. We need to assure its authenticity before purchasing.

Response:

Yes, validating the painting's authenticity is crucial to avoid purchasing a spurious piece.

Marketing

Scenario:

Our rivals have released ads claiming that their laptops have a 24-hours battery life. How can we fact-check these claims?

Response:

Their claims could be spurious. We should request an independent test of their product's battery life.