1
as in delusion
a false idea or belief
the once-common fallacy that girls just weren't any good at math
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deception
the quality or state of being false
the fallacy of the notion of spontaneous generation was demonstrated by the Dutch naturalist Leeuwenhoek
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 fallacy
It’s based on the fallacy of naturalism.
—
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To be clear, the narrative that American businesses have disappeared from the climate discussion is a fallacy.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere…The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The fallacy of screen time holds that measuring a ubiquitous phenomenon provides information that allows for control of that phenomenon—that keeping records of a chronic state will give rise to certain habits of self-healing.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To be clear, the narrative that American businesses have disappeared from the climate discussion is a fallacy.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere…The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The fallacy of screen time holds that measuring a ubiquitous phenomenon provides information that allows for control of that phenomenon—that keeping records of a chronic state will give rise to certain habits of self-healing.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallacy
Noun
-
Troublingly, there are unfolding layers of delusion too.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
His bus ride to the Big Apple at 17-years-old was a risk born of drive and delusion.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sybiha said Russia uses a range of tactics to recruit foreigners, including financial incentives, deception and coercion.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The crux of the Democrats’ deception is that repealing 287(g) will make our communities safer.—
Robin Grammer,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The chief human resources officer at $76 billion giant Colgate-Palmolive, Sally Massey, dispelled the myths that Gen Z only brings high standards and chaos to the workplace.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The lawyers had requested that the Justice Department website be temporarily shut down and that an independent monitor be appointed to ensure no further errors occurred.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This story has been updated with new information, to reframe parts of the story and to correct spelling errors.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As Nick and Jacki’s conversations deepen, the line between witness and participant blurs, forcing both to confront what justice demands, what belief requires, and the perilous distance between true freedom and the illusion of self-determination.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This work by Franco-Isreali artist Yorame Mevorach, also known as Oyoram, gives the illusion of swimming along the river’s edge.—
Kasia Dietz,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The allegations are a mixture of truth, falsehoods and misdirection.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The images have led to related falsehoods that have spread online in their wake.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallacy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
