In a manner that fails to persuade or convince; lacking credibility, plausibility, or effectiveness in conveying a belief or argument. This can involve weaknesses in reasoning, lack of supporting evidence, a hesitant or disbelieving delivery, or inconsistencies. The impact is that the audience or listener doubts the truthfulness, sincerity, or validity of what is being presented, leading to a lack of trust or acceptance of the communicated information. It often suggests a performance or presentation that falls short of achieving its intended persuasive goal. It indicates a shortfall, not of effort, but of result, in the speaker's presentation to their audience.
Unconvincingly meaning with examples
- The defendant's testimony, presented haltingly and with averted eyes, came across unconvincingly to the jury. The lawyer's cross-examination highlighted several inconsistencies, making the narrative seem fabricated. The witness's weak denials and vague answers further undermined the already shaky story, contributing to a general feeling of disbelief amongst the jurors, leading to the possibility of a guilty verdict.
- The actor, struggling to portray grief, delivered his lines unconvincingly. His voice lacked the necessary tremor, and his eyes remained dry. The scene's impact was diminished; the audience felt detached from the emotional turmoil. The director prompted him to rehearse the lines a few more times, and hoped the actor would connect with the words, in hopes of conveying his feelings.
- The politician’s speech, filled with hollow promises and vague statistics, sounded unconvincingly positive. The lack of concrete plans and verifiable facts raised skepticism among the voters. They couldn't fathom the sincerity of the politician's claim that the situation was improving. Many decided to vote against the politician for their dishonesty and lack of support.
- The science project's results were presented unconvincingly because of poorly controlled variables and flawed data analysis. The presenter's nervousness and inability to explain the methods further weakened the argument. The judges, unable to see the merit of the experiment or believe the data was presented accurately, gave the project a failing grade.