mendacious

adjective

men-ˈdā-shəs How to pronounce mendacious (audio)
Definition of mendaciousnext
as in misleading
telling or containing lies that tabloid routinely publishes the most moronically mendacious stories about celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mendacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mendacious are deceitful, dishonest, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than mendacious?

The words deceitful and mendacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might dishonest be a better fit than mendacious?

In some situations, the words dishonest and mendacious are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

In what contexts can untruthful take the place of mendacious?

The meanings of untruthful and mendacious largely overlap; however, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

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 mendacious Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation. — Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026 In the dry California hills, an intentional community tries to build a pyre for one of its own, and, in the complex and mendacious aftermath, may end up sort of burning down the nation-state. — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025 To claim the opposite rings hollow at best, if not mendacious. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 But future generations in China, those not bound by the same baggage as the Xi family, may someday find their voice and want to overturn Mao’s old mendacious order. — Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mendacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mendacious
  1. misleading
  2. dishonest
  3. erroneous
  4. untruthful
  5. lying
  6. false
Adjective
  • Meta argued the state failed to prove misleading statements about privacy and that content moderation actually harmed New Mexicans.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Meta argued that New Mexico failed to prove that the tech giant's executives made misleading statements about privacy and that its content moderation practices harmed state residents.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • The debate also took on an edgy, deeply personal tone, as the candidates repeatedly accused each other of being dishonest or misleading.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The other coach is dishonest and decides to strategically rank their players in a different order.
    — Dana Mackenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • Bisignano, a former Wall Street CEO who has been overhauling how the agency operates, also said SSA was working to fix erroneous records.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In his own review of the case, Mandell failed to flag an erroneous jury instruction that four years later would lead to the conviction being overturned.
    — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • Those commitments can be withdrawn if Saab is untruthful with investigators or probation officials, commits another crime or otherwise violates the agreement.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
  • However, subsequent video evidence led officials to claim that the officers involved had likely made untruthful statements about what happened.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of untruthful
Adjective
  • He was found dead lying face up on his hotel bed with no signs of trauma, according to a Monday report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
    — Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2022
Definition of lying
Adjective
  • Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The false polling data from Wedgewood Polls consistently favored Democrats, particularly progressive candidates.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of false

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Mendacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mendacious. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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