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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonym Chooser

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 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 Federal authorities announced an investigation Friday of two immigration officers who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month. — Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 Trump, of course, was rude, untruthful, and excessively, if not quite so egregiously, long-winded in his first term, too. — Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for untruthful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful

Adjective

Towers told ProPublica that the audit had reached erroneous conclusions, that the auditors did not give him the opportunity to fully defend his work and that the journal’s willingness to stand by the study is proof that his research is sound.

— Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026
For example, antiquarian scholars introduced the erroneous notion that druids built stone circles—most notably Stonehenge—for their ceremonies, an idea that became embedded in the popular imagination during the 18th century.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of erroneous

Adjective

Blanche is also confronting growing distrust of the Justice Department among judges, who in multiple cases have accused government lawyers of withholding information or misleading courts.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Both made misleading statements when questioned by authorities, according to the lawsuit.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of misleading

Adjective

Travelers can place too much trust in a confident but inaccurate answer.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Viral posts outlining ways to find AI tool hacks are now commonplace, but this also means an increase in factually inaccurate claims that are seen by millions of people.

— James Peckham, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of inaccurate

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

Another false dawn was Manchester City’s bright start in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, without the man who had just been named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, Rodri.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
In turn, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a defamation suit, which claimed Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had planted false claims in order to take over creative control of the film.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of false

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

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Synonyms of untruthful

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