FALSEHOOD Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

falsehood

noun

ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d

Definition of falsehood

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deceit

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Among the more egregious falsehoods was the one McDonnell had told many people about her younger sister, Holly. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026 Defense attorneys also should not be able to reference the felony charges dismissed after video showed agents’ falsehoods. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026 As Nora’s speech and Catherine’s kind moments suggest, characters’ actions don’t consistently reflect their overall moral stance, which is often based on misunderstandings and falsehoods, its validity unknowable even to them. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026 In the film, however, Odysseus’s falsehoods have dire consequences, an apparent reflection of the biblical assertion that false witness is a sin. — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for falsehood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falsehood

Noun

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include delusions or hallucinations that can prompt suicidal or homicidal action, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
That’s the sign of an overmatched team, and one that should be far, far away from any delusions of postseason grandeur.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

The airline unveiled new business-class seats for its Airbus A321XLR fleet, including lie-flat beds and privacy doors.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The film follows an 11-year-old boy who exploits his brother’s tragic death to fight his father and his community, until his lies expose the hypocrisy and corruption beneath a seemingly moral society.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of lie

Noun

Years of deception, half-truths, and emotional compromises finally surface, forcing Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette to confront not just the men in their lives, but one another.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Prevention of fraud, deception and public accountability are reasons given for this suggestion.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

Their topics include the limits of authenticity and how to grasp understanding in a world awash in deceit.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

Visitors are invited to travel across time and place to notice how societies around the world tended to weave similar, parallel myths.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
But cultural myths and urban legends have also stereotyped them into Halloween mascots, demonic beings and carriers of diseases.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of myth

Noun

Set in 1964 and based on a true story, the film tells the tale of a young journalist who tracks down a potential Nazi officer living secretly in New York and befriends the suspect’s charming wife.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Like James himself, the men are clever and bookish, writing letters or diaries, reading voraciously, and imagining themselves into tales of romance and Biblical comeuppance.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tale

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

Browse Nearby Words

false

falsehood

falsehoods

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Falsehood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falsehood. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of falsehood

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes