Synonyms of mendacious

mendacious

adjective

men-ˈdā-shəs 

as in misleading

telling or containing lies

that tabloid routinely publishes the most moronically mendacious stories about celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misleading
• dishonest
• erroneous
• untruthful
• lying
• false
• fallacious
• untrue
• hypocritical
• insincere
• hypocrite
• perjurious
• two-faced
• smooth-tongued
• double-dealing
• mealymouthed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truthful
• honest
• straightforward
• open
• true
• candid
• earnest
• sincere
• veracious
• moral
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• reliable
• principled
• plainspoken
• trustworthy
• dependable
• virtuous
• honorable
• ethical
• trusty
• righteous
• respectable
• straight
• decent
• upright
• just
• trustable
• right-minded
• upstanding

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

Recent Examples of mendacious

Two stand out: his profile and endorsement, in 2000, of Ralph Nader’s independent presidential campaign, and his early opposition to George W. Bush’s disastrous and mendacious invasion of Iraq. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

The candidate vying for a second White House stint — in the midst of his third overall campaign — has accumulated a long list of acts who do not want to be associated with his divisive, frequently mendacious rhetoric. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2024

After a similarly poor, though far less mendacious, performance from Biden in the Presidential debate, leaders in his party demanded that the President exit the race. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2024

Florida’s mendacious leaders only darken the nightmare. —Jake Cline, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

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