falsify

verb

fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
Synonyms of falsifynext

transitive verb

1
: to prove or declare false : disprove
falsify a theory
2
: to make false: such as
a
: to make false by mutilation or addition
the accounts were falsified to conceal a theft
b
: to represent falsely : misrepresent
3
: to prove unsound by experience
falsify a promise

intransitive verb

: to tell lies : lie
falsifiable adjective
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Examples of falsify in a Sentence

He was caught falsifying financial accounts. taking that statement completely out of context essentially falsifies it, whether that's your intention or not
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ships routinely turn off their location trackers, use spoofing to falsify positions and sail under false flags. Adina Renner, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Saulter was being investigated for allegedly falsifying time sheets, disobeying a direct order and failing to report part-time employment properly. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 Scammers use software to falsify the number that shows up on your phone and rotate through large batches of numbers to stay ahead of blocks and spam filters. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 An indirect attack points outside the file, an alibi where the depicted location, person, or event can be falsified by external fact. Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for falsify

Word History

Etymology

Middle English falsifien, from Middle French falsifier, from Medieval Latin falsificare, from Latin falsus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of falsify was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Falsify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/falsify. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

falsify

verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false : change so as to deceive
falsify financial accounts
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Legal Definition

falsify

transitive verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-si-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false: as
a
: to make (as a document) false by mutilation, alteration, or addition
the motel clerk had falsified the recordsM. A. Kelly
b
: to report (as information) falsely
the informant falsified his testimony

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