DISINGENUOUS

disingenuous, artful

(adjective) not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness; “an ambitious, disingenuous, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time”- David Cannadine; “a disingenuous excuse”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

disingenuous (comparative more disingenuous, superlative most disingenuous)

Not honourable; unworthy of honour

Not ingenuous; not frank or open

Synonym: uncandid

Assuming a pose of naïveté to make a point or for deception.

Usage notes

• Nouns to which "disingenuous" is often applied: attempt, argument, statement, conduct, people, excuse, question, assertion.

Source: Wiktionary

Dis`in*gen"u*ous, a.

1. Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; as, disingenuous conduct or schemes.

2. Not ingenuous; wanting in noble candor or frankness; not frank or open; uncandid; unworthily or meanly artful. So disingenuous as not to confess them [faults]. Pope.

– Dis`in*gen"u*ous*ly, adv. T. Warton.

– Dis`in*gen"u*ous*ness, n. Macaulay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition