untrue

adjective

un·​true ˌən-ˈtrü How to pronounce untrue (audio)
1
: not faithful : disloyal
2
: not according with a standard of correctness : not level or exact
3
: not according with the facts : false
untruly adverb

Examples of untrue in a Sentence

He made untrue statements to the press. Her lover had been untrue.
Recent Examples on the Web The problem, observers say, is that many of Chega’s statements are untrue. Catarina Fernandes Martins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 One official told waiting families that another bus of survivors was coming, but that was untrue. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 The affidavit for the warrant to obtain his DNA claimed it was found near the body, which was untrue, a lie that Radner says might have kept it from the trial. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 Livingston noted that Clanton was highly qualified, and that Pryor and Maze knew about the allegations against Clanton before offering her the coveted clerkships, and that both had determined the allegations of racist behavior by Clanton to be untrue. Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024 Rumors of a serial killer proved untrue, officials say. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2024 Grossman’s attorneys claim Erickson is responsible for the fatalities because his vehicle struck the boys first — a claim prosecutors say is untrue. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 But the box office returns of her 11 sound pictures suggest that’s entirely untrue. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024 But other items lack important details, or are just plain untrue. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'untrue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of untrue was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near untrue

Cite this Entry

“Untrue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/untrue. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

untrue

adjective
un·​true ˌən-ˈtrü How to pronounce untrue (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not faithful : disloyal
2
: not meeting a standard of correctness : not level or exact
3
: not agreeing with the facts : false
an untrue statement
untruly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on untrue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!