Vocabulary Spotlight
Cant
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: Insincere, hypocritical talk, especially about high ideals; jargon of a specific group.
“The politician’s speech was filled with cant about justice and fairness, but his actions spoke otherwise.”
Pronunciation
[kant]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Pretense
Jargon
Slang
Platitudes
Antonyms
Sincerity
Truthfulness
Openness
Authenticity
Related Words
Cantingly (adverb)
Word Origin
“Cant” originates from the Latin “cantare,” meaning “to sing.” Over time, it came to mean religiously or morally insincere talk, referring to the singsong tone used in empty rhetoric.
Word Family
Adjective: Canting – Insincere or hypocritical in speech.
Adverb: Cantingly – In a hypocritical manner.
Mnemonics
Think “Cant” as “Can’t be real” – it sounds insincere or hypocritical.
Industry-specific Usage
Politics
Cant is often used in political speeches that sound moralistic but lack genuine intent.
Religion
In religious discourse, cant may refer to pious language that lacks true conviction.
Legal
In legal contexts, cant can refer to complex jargon that may confuse or mislead non-specialists.
In Context
Cant is often criticized in modern discourse as it represents empty rhetoric or jargon that lacks sincerity or real meaning, especially in politics and media.