mendacious

adjective

men-ˈdā-shəs How to pronounce mendacious (audio)
Definition of mendaciousnext
as in misleading
telling or containing lies that tabloid routinely publishes the most moronically mendacious stories about celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mendacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mendacious are deceitful, dishonest, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," 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

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than mendacious?

The words deceitful and mendacious 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 might dishonest be a better fit than mendacious?

In some situations, the words dishonest and mendacious are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

In what contexts can untruthful take the place of mendacious?

The meanings of untruthful and mendacious largely overlap; however, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

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 mendacious 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 To claim the opposite rings hollow at best, if not mendacious. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 But future generations in China, those not bound by the same baggage as the Xi family, may someday find their voice and want to overturn Mao’s old mendacious order. — Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mendacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mendacious
  1. misleading
  2. dishonest
  3. erroneous
  4. untruthful
  5. lying
  6. false
Adjective
  • An analyzer may be accurate in the laboratory but slow or misleading in the field.
    — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The title and summary of a Florida property tax cut proposal to be placed on the November ballot contain political rhetoric and are misleading, and must be redrafted, a judge has ruled.
    — South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of misleading
Adjective
  • Of course, the senior consultant wasn't actually calling customers dishonest.
    — Natalie Lemke, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There is an endless list of important takeaways from the new information, notably that Fauci was repeatedly and purposefully dishonest in order to get the public to comply with his policies and recommendations.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of dishonest
Adjective
  • However, the rollout of these changes is marred by application glitches, payment calculation errors, erroneous delinquency notices, and massive backlogs for loan forgiveness programs.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The source said the Post’s report that such a conversation had been arranged was erroneous.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • In February, federal authorities launched an investigation into two federal immigration agents who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath regarding a nonfatal shooting of an immigrant in Minneapolis in January.
    — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • This inquiry identified insufficient evidence to conclude that Garcia knowingly made an untruthful statement.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of untruthful
Adjective
  • He was found dead lying face up on his hotel bed with no signs of trauma, according to a Monday report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
    — Kenan Draughorne, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2022
Definition of lying
Adjective
  • Along with the WiFi jammer, deputies said they were found to be in possession of false license plates and burglary tools.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Many of these times, KFA employees allegedly filed false expense reports chalking up the charges to meals, drinks, or standard massages.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of false

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Cite this Entry

“Mendacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mendacious. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mendacious for Spanish Speakers

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