Straw-Manning

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /strɔːˈmænɪŋ/

Definitions of straw-manning

noun a logical fallacy where someone distorts or misrepresents an opponent's argument in order to make it easier to attack

Example Sentences

A1 I don't understand what straw-manning means.

A2 The speaker was accused of straw-manning their opponent's argument.

B1 It is important to avoid straw-manning when engaging in debates.

B2 The politician's use of straw-manning tactics was criticized by the media.

C1 The professor discussed the concept of straw-manning in great detail during the lecture.

C2 The author's book delves into the various forms of logical fallacies, including straw-manning.

verb to use the straw man fallacy in an argument

Example Sentences

A1 He is straw-manning my argument by misrepresenting what I said.

A2 She straw-manned her opponent's position to make her own argument seem stronger.

B1 The politician was accused of straw-manning his opponent's policies during the debate.

B2 The journalist pointed out how the speaker was straw-manning the opposition's views.

C1 It is important to avoid straw-manning in intellectual discussions to maintain integrity.

C2 The professor emphasized the importance of accurately representing others' arguments and avoiding straw-manning.

Examples of straw-manning in a Sentence

formal The debater was accused of straw-manning his opponent's argument by misrepresenting it.

informal Stop straw-manning my points and actually listen to what I'm saying.

slang Don't be a straw-manner and twist my words like that.

figurative She felt like her ideas were being straw-manned by the group, making her hesitant to speak up.

Grammatical Forms of straw-manning

past tense

straw-manned

plural

straw-men

comparative

more straw-manning

superlative

most straw-manning

present tense

straw-man

future tense

will straw-man

perfect tense

have straw-manned

continuous tense

is straw-manning

singular

straw-man

positive degree

straw-manning

infinitive

to straw-man

gerund

straw-manning

participle

straw-manning

Origin and Evolution of straw-manning

First Known Use: 1620 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'straw man' originated from the practice of using a scarecrow made of straw to represent an opponent in a debate or argument, creating a weak and easily defeated version of their position.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'straw man' evolved into 'straw-manning' as a verb to describe the act of misrepresenting or distorting someone's argument to make it easier to attack or refute.