perjury

noun

Definition of perjurynext
as in libel
law the crime of telling a lie in a court of law after promising to tell the truth He was found guilty of perjury.

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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 perjury In May 2024, Mosby was sentenced to three years of probation and one year of home detention following her mortgage fraud and perjury convictions. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 In new filings, Jones argues that defendant Melissa Nathan, another prominent entertainment industry publicist, committed perjury and hid evidence about her role in creating the sites, including one which targeted Jones. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 Originally, Johnson faced 18 counts of election forgery and one count of election perjury, and Andrews was charged with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 This case is interesting, however, said trial attorney Derek Hollingsworth, who was on Roger Clemens’ perjury defense team and has also worked as a state prosecutor. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perjury
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perjury
  1. libel
  2. lie
  3. distortion
Noun
  • The media’s coverage of the couple was at times critical, and in 2008 the McCanns reached settlements in libel cases brought against British tabloids that alleged they were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The libel continued this week when, after years and years of Ryan Murphy teasing a return, Disney+ and Hulu announced that a revival of the series is in fact officially on the way.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of libel
Noun
  • The Chinese government has refuted the claims as lies and defended its practice and policy in Xinjiang as fighting terror and ensuring stability.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Paytas alleged that Ethan would spread lies about her family after the podcast ended and mocked her most traumatizing moments, like being molested by a teacher as a child.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of lie
Noun
  • These accusations are utter nonsense, concocted from distortions, half-truths and lies.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The band frequently steers the poppy songwriting offroad by leaning into distortion and ambience, creating moments of both near-mania and hazy unease.
    — Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of distortion

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perjurious
perjury
perk
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Cite this Entry

“Perjury.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perjury. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perjury

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perjury

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