glibness

3 8.5

A type of speech that sounds smooth but not honest

noun
/ɡlɪbnəs/

: superficialidad

Despite her glibness, many saw through her insincerity and questioned her sincerity.
test of glibness

We have to stop worshipping at the altar of charisma and charm and glibness and success at any cost.

Examples

But when their surface glibness wears thin, can they sustain a significant scholarly romance?

Academic text (2000)
I got a small taste of Rick's glibness as I listened to him on Warren Olney's "To the Point" program today.

Blog text (29)
Good writing isn't about glibness.

Fiction book (1998)
After reading and considering your reaction to my previous comment, I want to apologize for its excessive glibness.

Blog text (30)
So don't confuse glibness with insight.
As much as I read, I can say up front that I found no false notes or glibness in this book and found many nuggets that were new to me.

Blog text (34)
Stephens concluded, "But it takes actual smarts to understand that glibness and self-belief are not sufficient proof of genuine intelligence."

Blog text (13)
Bond's approach against him is equally engaging in how his seeming glibness belies his stoicism.

Blog text (23)
Yes, we look to governments to pave the roads and fill the potholes (which they have trouble doing where I live), but Holmes' glibness is exactly what we do not need as we approach a fiscal cliff.

Blog text (15)
His glibness made it difficult to trust his true intentions.

Synonyms

rhetoric

vsglibness

265 7.0

Words that sound impressive but have little real meaning

is more about effortless fluent persuasion with shallow sincerity

affectation

vsglibness

11 8.6

A fake way of speaking or behaving to impress others

is fluent persuasive style rather than deliberate artificial manner

palaver

vsglibness

Informal

2 8.8

A lot of talk that sounds important but says nothing

is concise fluent persuasion rather than lengthy elaborate speech

slickness

vsglibness

1 6.1

A smooth, confident way of speaking that seems shallow or not sincere

is persuasive speech that emphasizes quick fluency over real depth

oiliness

vsglibness

1 7.6

A smooth, insincere way of talking that tries to please people

is fluent persuasion that focuses on charm rather than deep meaning

unctuousness

vsglibness

9.9

A false friendliness that tries to please or impress people

is more about quick fluent persuasion that sounds shallow

unctuous tone

vsglibness

9.3

A way of speaking that is too friendly and seems not sincere

is fluent persuasive talk that is superficial rather than only flattering

artificialness

vsglibness

7.3

A way of acting or speaking that does not feel sincere

is persuasive fluency that sounds natural yet shallow

mealiness

vsglibness

9.0

Indirect words or actions that hide true meaning

is fluent persuasive talk that focuses on smoothness not evasiveness

Antonyms

honesty

365 1.0

Being truthful and fair in what you say and do

genuineness

3 4.0

The state of being real and sincere

How Sincere

earnestness

8 4.9

sincerity

71 3.1

glibness

3 8.5

insincerity

4 5.6

Surface Forms

glibness singular

glibnesses plural

Morphology

glibness = glib (transparent) = glib + ness

A straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'glib' with the productive suffix '-ness', so the noun's meaning follows directly from the adjective.

Etymology

The word glibness comes from the old root glib, which is linked to words meaning 'slippery' or 'smooth'. So think of words that 'slide' out easily — they sound clever and persuasive, but they can be shallow or not sincere.