Phrase guide

circular argument

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A term often conflated with begging the question in philosophy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An argument which commits the logical fallacy of assuming what it is attempting to prove.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, logic, mathematics, philosophy, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 循環論證 /循环论证 (xúnhuán lùnzhèng) — a type of argument
  • Danish: cirkelslutning — a type of argument
  • Dutch: cirkelredenering — a type of argument
  • Finnish: kehäpäätelmä — a type of argument
  • French: raisonnement circulaire — a type of argument
  • Galician: argumento circular — a type of argument
  • German: Zirkelschluss — a type of argument
  • German: Zirkelbeweis — a type of argument
  • Hungarian: körben forgó érvelés — a type of argument
  • Hungarian: körkörös érvelés — a type of argument
  • Norwegian Bokmål: sirkelargument — a type of argument
  • Polish: błędne koło — a type of argument
  • Romanian: argument circular — a type of argument
  • Spanish: argumento circular — a type of argument
  • Swedish: cirkelargument — a type of argument
  • Swedish: cirkelbevis — a type of argument
  • Turkish: kapalı döngü — a type of argument