What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Sophist vs Sophomoric - What's the difference?

sophist | sophomoric |

As a noun sophist

is one of a class of teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece.

As an adjective sophomoric is

of, relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore.

sophist

English

(wikipedia sophist)

Noun

(en noun)
  • One of a class of teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece.
  • A teacher who used plausible but fallacious reasoning.
  • One who is captious, fallacious, or deceptive in argument.

    • Usage notes

    * The meaning of "sophist" can vary depending on the time period to which one is referring. A sophist of the earliest period was a master in his art or craft who demonstrated (taught by example) his practical skill/learning in exchange for pay. Later sophists were providers of a well-rounded education intended to give pupils arete'' – "virtue, human excellence". By late antiquity, ''sophist?s'' / ''sophistes'' tended to denote exclusively a skilled public speaker and/or teacher of rhetoric.''Dictionary of Philosophy'', (ed.), Philosophical Library, 1962. ''See:'' "Sophists" by Max Fishler, p. 295." History of the name ‘Sophist’," ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' at ''www.britannica.com .

    Synonyms

    * logic chopper

    Related terms

    * sophism * sophistry * sophisticated

    References

    sophomoric

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • of, relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore
  • conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature
  • pretentious; inflated in style or manner
    • sophomoric affectation

    Derived terms

    *sophomorically