Definition of untruthfulnext

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 King suggested the defense attorney was being untruthful. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025 Officers making contact with Hyatt noted an odor of intoxicants, staggering gait, confusion and illogical, untruthful responses to questions, according to the motion. Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2025 The deficient vice of integrity is being fake, untruthful, inconsistent, unprincipled, and manipulative. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 During the trial, prosecutors showed videos of the multiple interviews Troconis had with law enforcement and accused her of being untruthful about Farber Dulos’ disappearance. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • Congress foolishly downsized that number in the 1980s and ’90s on the erroneous belief that more doctors would encourage unnecessary health care consumption.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Civilians misidentified as undercover officers have been chased by anti-ICE mobs in public, even while the victims were going about their daily lives, based on erroneous reporting from fellow ICE monitors.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This is both obvious and a bit misleading.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • By the end of his first term, The Washington Post had documented 30,573 false or misleading claims.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • If inaccurate or misleading information is introduced to a Wikipedia article, however, it can easily be challenged in the article’s associated discussion page, where edit histories are logged.
    Imogen West-Knights, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Notably, the Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund claimed on its tax forms to have only transferred funds to 501(c)(3) organizations, a statement that critics say appears to be inaccurate given its transfer to the 501(c)(4) Bright Future Fund.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That doesn't mean the dealer is dishonest, though.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Multiple points of validation will help combat dishonest applicants, Rowe told lawmakers at the time.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Some will always believe their placement incorrect.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Both parties claim problems such as invalid signatures and missing or incorrect voter information on petitions that judicial candidates submit to secure a place on the ballot.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • In the dry California hills, an intentional community tries to build a pyre for one of its own, and, in the complex and mendacious aftermath, may end up sort of burning down the nation-state.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Nichols and Vann concede that handing the cup with the apple juice and urine mix to Smith’s son to drink was wrong and Vann has expressed regret for that.
    Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The crash involved a wrong-way driver on eastbound I-84, according to an Idaho State Police Facebook post.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Authorities did not provide additional details about the agents' apparently false statements.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Nevertheless, Worden continued to promote the false claim to news outlets and hired a media consultant to amplify it, the documents said.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on untruthful

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