Word Finder
What's the word for saying something is true by defining it as true like circular reasoning?
The word you're looking for
A tautology is a statement that repeats the same idea in a way that adds no real proof. It fits when something is called true by using a definition that already assumes it is true.
Other words that fit
Use this when the problem is the logic itself, not just the wording.
Use this in formal logic when the conclusion is assumed in the argument.
This is common in everyday speech for reasoning that goes round in a circle.
Use this when a statement refers to itself, though it is not always wrong.
Why this word
The best word here is usually tautology if you mean a statement that is true only because of how it is defined. In logic, people may also say circular reasoning or begging the question when the argument assumes what it wants to prove. In everyday English, these terms are often mixed up, but they are not exactly the same. A tautology is about repeated meaning, while circular reasoning is about faulty proof.
In context
- Saying "it is what it is" can sound like a tautology.
- His argument used tautology instead of evidence.
- The definition becomes a tautology if it proves itself.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is tautology the same as circular reasoning?
- Not exactly. A tautology repeats meaning, while circular reasoning uses the conclusion as proof.
- Is "begging the question" the same as circular reasoning?
- In modern English, people often use them the same way. In formal logic, they are not always identical.
- Can a tautology be correct English?
- Yes. A tautology can be grammatically correct, but it may still be useless or repetitive.
- What is a simple example of circular reasoning?
- "It is true because I say it is true." The statement tries to prove itself.