smooth-tongued
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: * Artfully persuasive in speech; using words in a clever, charming, and often insincere way to persuade or deceive. Describes a person who speaks very fluently and convincingly, but whose charm and persuasiveness may hide a lack of honesty or genuine intent.
Usage
The adjective "smooth-tongued" is used to describe a person, typically in a critical or wary manner. It highlights the speaker's skillful but potentially deceptive eloquence. It often precedes a noun (e.g., a smooth-tongued salesman) but can also follow a linking verb (e.g., He was smooth-tongued).
Examples
- Be wary of the smooth-tongued politician making grand promises.
- The smooth-tongued con artist convinced them to invest in a fake scheme.
- She was too smooth-tongued to be entirely trustworthy.
- Don't be fooled by his smooth-tongued flattery.
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a strong negative connotation, implying manipulation, hypocrisy, or deceit cloaked in pleasant speech.
- It can be used in literary or formal contexts to characterize a villain or an untrustworthy figure.
Variants and Related Words
- Glib (adj.): Similar to "smooth-tongued," meaning fluent but superficial or insincere. (e.g., He had a glib answer for every question.)
- Silver-tongued (adj.): Emphasizes eloquent and persuasive speech, but can be used in either a positive or negative sense. (e.g., a silver-tongued orator; a silver-tongued liar.)
- Persuasive (adj.): Able to convince someone to do or believe something. This is a more neutral term without the implied insincerity.
- Eloquent (adj.): Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing. This is generally a positive term.
Synonyms
- Glib
- Persuasive (in a deceptive way)
- Flattering
- Ingratiating
- Unctuous
- Deceptively charming
Antonyms
- Inarticulate
- Tongue-tied
- Blunt
- Forthright
- Guileless
Related Idioms
- To have a silver tongue: To be eloquently persuasive.
- To be a smooth talker: A more informal phrase with a very similar meaning to "smooth-tongued."
Adjective
- artfully persuasive in speech
- a glib tongue
- a smooth-tongued hypocrite