falsehood

noun

ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce falsehood (audio)
Definition of falsehoodnext
1
as in delusion
a false idea or belief the possibility of a perpetual motion machine is one falsehood that has been disproved by modern physics

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2
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive several falsehoods in the witness's testimony that may be grounds for perjury

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3
as in deception
the quality or state of being false scientists eventually demonstrated the falsehood of the claim that prehistoric fish did not evolve lungs and legs

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4
as in deceit
the tendency to tell lies a cynic who believes that politics are a veritable fount of falsehood

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of falsehood Diplomats are paid to lie for their country, but this may be the greatest and most obvious falsehood ever uttered by a diplomat not named Sergey Lavrov. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 Rather than respond to every claim, Logan says his office picks its battles, intervening only when a falsehood appears likely to reach a wide audience. — Ana Ceballos follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 The trouble is not TMI but TLI Another falsehood standing in the way of feeling loved is the presumption that asking questions will seem nosy. — Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 They are peppered with falsehoods, misrepresentations, insults, praise, self-promotion and erratic capitalizations. — New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for falsehood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falsehood
  1. delusion
  2. lie
  3. deception
  4. deceit
  5. myth
  6. tale
  7. falseness
  8. deceitfulness
Noun
  • We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division.
    — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • As Lines’ delusions calcified, so did ChatGPT’s affirmations.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 2 July 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The plane also includes a spacious press cabin, according to a pool reporter onboard, with lie-flat seats that feature a massage function and individual TV screens.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The press cabin contains 14 lie-flat pods, including large tan leather seats with luxury features such as lumbar supports and massage functions.
    — Emily Chang, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of lie
Noun
  • Guo was convicted of nine of 12 criminal charges during a seven-week trial that prosecutors said showcased his deception of thousands of investors in bogus deals that enabled Guo’s lavish lifestyle.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • By the time the deception was uncovered, the employee had authorized $25 million in transfers.
    — Kevin Pierce, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • The original trial was found to be invalid due to fraud and deceit.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • And with that comes deceit and manipulation.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of deceit
Noun
  • Despite numerous myths, a cat's fur color does not impact its personality traits.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • This is myth, and fisheries biologists know that pike do feed during the hot months just as other fish do.
    — Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026
Definition of myth
Noun
  • The agonizing legal circus surrounding Sumner Redstone’s final years at Paramount/Viacom is a sobering cautionary tale.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The past few summers have seen nightmare tales from heatwaves in Europe — the continent with the fastest-rising temperatures under global warming.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • The falseness of the medium, though, jibed with the falseness of most attempts, throughout American history, to make sense of this enormous, strange man.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of falseness
Noun
  • Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of deceitfulness

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falsehood
falsehoods
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Cite this Entry

“Falsehood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falsehood. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of falsehood for Spanish Speakers

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