UNTRUTHFUL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'untruthful' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untruthful are deceitful , dishonest , and mendacious . While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality. // an untruthful account of their actions

Q: When is 'deceitful' a more appropriate choice than 'untruthful'?

The words deceitful and untruthful 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

Q: When would 'dishonest' be a good substitute for 'untruthful'?

While the synonyms dishonest and untruthful are close in meaning, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud. // a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

Q: When might 'mendacious' be a better fit than 'untruthful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to untruthful , 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

untruthful

adjective

ˌən-ˈtrüth-fəl

Definition of untruthful

as in erroneous

not being in agreement with what is true an unintentionally untruthful statement that the candidate later corrected

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in misleading

telling or containing lies the political action committee was slammed for spreading untruthful smears about the candidate and his wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective untruthful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untruthful are deceitful, dishonest, and mendacious. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than untruthful?

The words deceitful and untruthful 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 would dishonest be a good substitute for untruthful?

While the synonyms dishonest and untruthful are close in meaning, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When might mendacious be a better fit than untruthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to untruthful, 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

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 untruthful Since 2019, state law has required law enforcement agencies that employ POST certificate holders to notify the board if a certificate holder knowingly made an untruthful statement during an internal affairs investigation, among other circumstances. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026 In his earlier testimony on Thursday morning, Espinoza told Wise County District Attorney James Stainton that Horner had been untruthful throughout the investigative process. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026 Clearly, anything that is erroneous or untruthful cannot originate in divine Truth. — Wendy Landry, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untruthful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful

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

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

Use safer payment methods When shopping online, paying with a credit card generally gives you stronger protections if an order never arrives or a charge is incorrect.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The figures represent requests for financial assistance, not necessarily complaints about incorrect water bills.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.

— Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
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

Definition of mendacious

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

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untruth

untruthful

untruthfully

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

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Synonyms of untruthful

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