lie 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlī How to pronounce lie (audio)
Definition of lienext
as in to deceive
to make a statement one knows to be untrue would I lie to you about that?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈlī How to pronounce lie (audio)
1
as in to lead
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to be
to occupy a place or location I left the book lying on the counter

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hide
to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

3 of 3

noun

ˈlī How to pronounce lie (audio)
as in tale
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive he wanted to deny the accusation, but he couldn't tell a lie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lie differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lie are equivocate, fib, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

When could equivocate be used to replace lie?

The words equivocate and lie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

Where would fib be a reasonable alternative to lie?

While in some cases nearly identical to lie, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use palter instead of lie?

While the synonyms palter and lie are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

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 lie
Verb
The series tells the story of Jossi, a floundering actor who lies his way into a casting call reserved for Jewish performers. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 The bank pointed a finger at a senior Northern Trust representative who had allegedly lied about McDonnell freezing $15 million in one of her accounts as collateral for the Banc of California loan. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 And to her, Bobby and I both understood, a lie was a lie was a lie. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie
  1. deceive
  2. lead
  3. be
  4. hide
  5. tale
  6. fool
  7. go
  8. sit
Verb
  • Such a lease, however, would disqualify a hospice from obtaining a license, and a provider would need to intentionally deceive inspectors to disguise a day office, experts said.
    — Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Someone who has maintained an entire second family has demonstrated a willingness to deceive you over an extended period of time.
    — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • The Broncos, who lost in the AFC championship game last season, led 24-0 at halftime and were never threatened.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The continent has the world’s youngest population, but several countries are still led by aging leaders whose political careers began decades ago, including former liberation figures now governing in a different era.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lead
Verb
  • The benefit of different formats The average club pre-season lasts six weeks, so there is a lot to cram in — and a regular 90-minute friendly does not always allow all your players the necessary game time.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • New York City — There is an ever-growing love story between the game of golf and basketball.
    — Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of be
Verb
  • Though males are wingless and females can fly short distances, that reproductive efficiency — combined with its tiny size and penchant for hiding in wood — has supercharged a rapid spread across South Africa.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Bosch reminded the public to lock their vehicles and hide valuables, noting that thieves often scan for unlocked cars by looking for extended side mirrors.
    — Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hide
Noun
  • No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This time, though, there’s more heavy metal influence — more guitar, more drums, more church organ, more attitude — to complement Cathedral’s grim tale.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of tale
Verb
  • Because being fooled once is a shame; being fooled twice — that’s moronic.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Why fake rental listings fool smart people Rental scammers understand timing.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • The Sparks outscored the Valkyries 31-20 in the fourth quarter as Golden State’s shooting went cold, but a couple of late clutch shots won the game after a 19-point lead was cut to one.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • His attempt comes a year after a driver going 283 mph (455 kph) died trying to set a land speed record at Bonneville's annual Speed Week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • Also sitting empty are all four corners, allowing those in the main stand to watch the Underground trains trundle along the Jubilee Line on their way to final stop Stanmore and back.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Sponge The sponge typically consists of a soft layer of foam that sits between the blade and the rubber.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sit

Phrases Containing lie

Browse Nearby Words

lids
lie
lie back
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Cite this Entry

“Lie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lie. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lie for Spanish Speakers

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