as in polygraph
an instrument for detecting physical signs of the tension that goes with lying
hooked the suspect up to a lie detector before interrogating him about the robbery
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Recent Examples of lie detector
Turning truth into a literal currency through a lie detector test feels perfectly aligned with this year’s theme.
—
Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
This year’s lie detector session will take place at Gothenburg – Nordstan from January 16 to 18 and at Olof Palmes plats from January 24 to 26.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
There were a number of red flags throughout Ames' career — lie detector tests that showed deceptive answers, sudden unexplained wealth, poor job performance, alcohol abuse — but the CIA repeatedly missed or ignored the warning signs and promoted him to increasingly sensitive posts.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The clips currently making the rounds feature 6ix9ine on their streams doing gags like answering questions under a lie detector.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie detector
Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
This year’s lie detector session will take place at Gothenburg – Nordstan from January 16 to 18 and at Olof Palmes plats from January 24 to 26.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
There were a number of red flags throughout Ames' career — lie detector tests that showed deceptive answers, sudden unexplained wealth, poor job performance, alcohol abuse — but the CIA repeatedly missed or ignored the warning signs and promoted him to increasingly sensitive posts.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The clips currently making the rounds feature 6ix9ine on their streams doing gags like answering questions under a lie detector.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie detector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie detector
polygraph
Noun
-
The polygraph results were not admissible in court, so Perkins was not arrested at the time.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 21,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2026
-
At one point Gentile agreed to submit to a polygraph examination, presumably to demonstrate his denials were truthful.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lie detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lie%20detector. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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