falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

spreading falsehoods about his opponent

2

: absence of truth or accuracy

The falsehood of this narrative made it no less effective.

—Peniel E. Joseph

3

: the practice of lying : mendacity

… Thomas Jefferson … accused the press of engaging in "falsehood and defamation" while covering his administration.

—Albert R. Hunt

Synonyms of falsehood

• delusion
• myth
• error
• illusion

Examples of falsehood in a Sentence

the line between truth and falsehood

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, remind me of my [falsehood about abilities/personality/life style]. —Alexis Wilkinson, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

For that reason, the episode also has something to teach about truth and falsehood in ChatGPT and other such generative-AI products. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025

The man is being investigated for concealing a corpse, fraud against state damages, impersonation and falsehood in public, per La Repubblica. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

Do people somehow recognize truth and buy it, and put falsehood out of business? —Richard Stengel, Time, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for falsehood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood

Kids Definition

falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

2

: the habit of lying