untruthful

adjective

un·​truth·​ful ˌən-ˈtrüth-fəl 

: not containing or telling the truth : false, inaccurate

an untruthful report

untruthfully

ˌən-ˈtrüth-fə-lē 

adverb

untruthfulness noun

Synonyms

• erroneous
• false
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• inexact
• invalid
• off
• unsound
• untrue
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for untruthful

dishonest, deceitful, mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief.

dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

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

untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Examples of untruthful in a Sentence

an unintentionally untruthful statement that the candidate later corrected

the political action committee was slammed for spreading untruthful smears about the candidate and his wife

Recent Examples on the Web

On Wednesday, the defense attacked Marquez’s credibility, questioning his motives for cooperating with the FBI and grilling him over episodes in his background that might paint him as untruthful. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024

However, Miranda, Assad, and Arroyo routinely failed in their obligations to cooperate with the investigation by delaying responses, refusing to provide certain information or documents, and providing inconsistent or untruthful responses. —Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024

Phelan, largely brushing off Covey's attacks as politically motivated and untruthful, has stuck to his reputation of having represented the district through several election cycles, running unopposed over the past several, and his work to advance border security legislation and funding last year. —Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024

Our choice is the person who says the most outrageous, offensive and untruthful things, or the person who is subjected to those insults and lies. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1843, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

untruthful

adjective

un·​truth·​ful ˌən-ˈtrüth-fəl 

ˈən-

: not containing or telling the truth : false, inaccurate

untruthful reports

untruthfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

untruthfulness noun