question-begging.

Assuming as a premise the very point requiring demonstration.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• question-begging argument
• question-begging assumption

On the page

Calling the policy necessary is question-begging without evidence.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Normally non-gradable; no ordinary comparative or superlative. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: evidence, inference, qualification. Commonness: moderately common.