Standard Lemma guide

unconvincing

adj · verb · 4 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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  • CMU ARPABET: AH2 N K AH0 N V IH1 N S IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

not convincing, plausible or believable

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonym: uncompelling
  • He gave me an unconvincing explanation of the fault, but I have my doubts.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flimsy, limp, tenuous, uncompelling

Antonyms: convincing, compelling

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of unconvince

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective

Meaning 3

not convincing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • unconvincing argument
  • as unconvincing as a forced smile

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flimsy

Antonyms: convincing

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

having a probability too low to inspire belief

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: improbable, unbelievable, unlikely

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English convincing English unconvincing From un- + convincing.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: неубедителен (neubeditelen) — not convincing
  • Czech: nepřesvědčivý — not convincing
  • Dutch: onovertuigend — not convincing
  • Dutch: weinig overtuigend — not convincing
  • Dutch: niet overtuigend — not convincing
  • Finnish: ei vakuuttava — not convincing
  • Finnish: ei uskottava — not convincing
  • Finnish: epäuskottava — not convincing
  • French: peu convaincant — not convincing
  • Ancient Greek: ἀπίθανος (apíthanos) — not convincing
  • Japanese: 腑に落ちない (fu ni ochinai) — not convincing
  • Polish: nieprzekonujący — not convincing
  • Serbo-Croatian: neuvjèrljiv — not convincing