untruth

noun

un·​truth ˌən-ˈtrüth How to pronounce untruth (audio)
ˈən-ˌtrüth
Synonyms of untruthnext
1
archaic : disloyalty
2
: lack of truthfulness : falsity
3
: something that is untrue : falsehood

Synonyms of untruth

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of untruth in a Sentence

the untruths he has uttered their argument rests on a fundamental untruth which has long been discredited
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump is just straight-up doling out untruths – and blaming Biden. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025 We were lied on in our statement and lied on again, and even in the apology, there was untruth. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Feb. 2026 Most of the papers featuring naked women and naked untruths belonged to Rupert Murdoch. — Andrew O’Hagan, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026 But in the popular imagination, untruths persist that should be corrected. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for untruth

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of untruth was before the 12th century

Rhymes for untruth

See All Rhymes for untruth

Browse Nearby Words

untrusty
untruth
untruthful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untruth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untruth. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

untruth

noun
un·​truth ˌən-ˈtrüth How to pronounce untruth (audio)
ˈən-
1
: lack of truthfulness : falsity
2
: something that is untrue : falsehood, lie

More from Merriam-Webster on untruth

Nglish: Translation of untruth for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All