FALSEHOOD Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

falsehood

noun

ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d

Definition of falsehood

as in delusion

a false idea or belief the possibility of a perpetual motion machine is one falsehood that has been disproved by modern physics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

as in lie

a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive several falsehoods in the witness's testimony that may be grounds for perjury

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deception

the quality or state of being false scientists eventually demonstrated the falsehood of the claim that prehistoric fish did not evolve lungs and legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deceit

the tendency to tell lies a cynic who believes that politics are a veritable fount of falsehood

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 falsehood As Nora’s speech and Catherine’s kind moments suggest, characters’ actions don’t consistently reflect their overall moral stance, which is often based on misunderstandings and falsehoods, its validity unknowable even to them. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026 In the film, however, Odysseus’s falsehoods have dire consequences, an apparent reflection of the biblical assertion that false witness is a sin. — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026 According to the indictment, Escoe, Cher David, Gino Jourdan, Alfred Da Vis, Latoya Clark and James McGhow submitted applications for COVID relief loans and grants with a long list of falsehoods. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026 Trump is twice divorced, relishes cursing publicly and offers a never-ending onslaught of falsehoods. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for falsehood

Recent Examples of Synonyms for falsehood

Noun

Songs about heartbreak and toxic relationship cycles are precise and lucid, even in their delusions.

— Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
The mortals would rather live in their own delusion than confront the magic that drifts among them.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

Further in lies a kitchen with parquet flooring, an Esmeralda marble island, and contrasting brass finishes.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
And while the public may understand a leader’s deception for security reasons, there are many other situations in which people may not forgive a lie.

— Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lie

Noun

There appears to be no indication the scammer or scammers behind this web of deception are anywhere close to slowing down.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
But Richard Adams Locke, who wrote the series, later claimed that deception wasn’t his goal.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Following the pandemic and resurgence of fascism and brutal deceits, and picking up on the discussions of shame found in My 1980s Gayboy Playlist, Ashby has now focused on indignity and intolerance.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceit

Noun

There are also myths about how to manage customer experiences designed to thrill customers.

— Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The fact that such men are in short supply, and that this romanticized myth didn’t even remotely compare with the lives such men actually lived, is of little concern to today’s masculinists.

— Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of myth

Noun

But the tale is even more poignant now, because as part of the team’s offensive transformation, fueled by the hiring of former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, the Vikings are handing Bredeson a hefty role.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The two dashing newcomers have since been regaling the Georgia Aquarium’s existing belugas, a quartet of females*, with tales of their peregrinations.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of tale

Noun

Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Perfidy — from the French perfidie via the Latin perfidia — means deceitfulness, treachery or a breach of faith or promise.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of deceitfulness

Browse Nearby Words

false

falsehood

falsehoods

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Falsehood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falsehood. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of falsehood

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on falsehood

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes