Synonyms of lie

lie 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlī 

as in to deceive

to make a statement one knows to be untrue

would I lie to you about that?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceive
• fool
• prevaricate
• fib
• kid
• trick
• fabricate
• misrepresent
• perjure
• delude
• libel
• equivocate
• slander
• snow
• mislead
• forswear
• distort
• misstate
• dupe
• falsify
• defame
• hoodwink
• foreswear
• gull
• palter
• dissimulate
• hoax
• dissemble
• take in
• beguile
• fudge
• misinform
• misreport
• traduce
• cozen
• misguide
• garble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• testify
• assert
• swear
• confirm
• verify
• validate
• substantiate
• authenticate

lie

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈlī 

1

as in to lead

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction

the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lead
• go
• run
• extend
• head
• bear
• cross
• pass
• cut
• course
• follow
• span
• traverse

2

as in to be

to occupy a place or location

I left the book lying on the counter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• be
• sit
• stand
• remain
• reside
• bear
• wait
• rest
• overlook
• stay
• await
• dwell
• hang around
• station
• stick around
• command
• post
• tarry

3

as in to hide

to remain out of sight

paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hide
• lurk
• repose
• lie low
• sit tight
• hole up
• skulk
• sneak
• slink
• evade
• elude
• avoid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appear
• come out
• show up
• turn up
• materialize

lie

3 of 3

noun

ˈlī 

as in tale

a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive

he wanted to deny the accusation, but he couldn't tell a lie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tale
• story
• falsehood
• fairy tale
• untruth
• mendacity
• fib
• fabrication
• prevarication
• fable
• falsity
• whopper
• distortion
• exaggeration
• taradiddle
• tarradiddle
• ambiguity
• fiction
• slander
• half-truth
• bluff
• libel
• deceit
• perjury
• defamation
• pose
• fraudulence
• pretence
• myth
• equivocation
• misrepresentation
• obliquity
• nonsense
• misconception
• fallacy
• misinformation
• misstatement
• dishonesty
• canard
• duplicity
• pretense
• falsification
• humbug
• jive
• misreport
• deceitfulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truth
• fact
• honesty
• truthfulness
• truism
• veracity
• confirmation
• verification
• validation
• verity
• authentication
• substantiation

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lie differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lie are equivocate, fib, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

When could equivocate be used to replace lie?

The words equivocate and lie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

Where would fib be a reasonable alternative to lie?

While in some cases nearly identical to lie, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use palter instead of lie?

While the synonyms palter and lie are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lie

Verb

Has Trump seen the album cover of To Pimp A Butterfly with Kendrick Lamar and his shirtless homies mean mugging on the White House lawn while a dead judge lies at their feet? —Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025

Beneath the prosthetics and punchlines lies a story about the cost of pretending and the possibility of renewal. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

Noun

Democrats, in turn, say that’s a lie. —Erin Doherty, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

This is the lie at the center of our show. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing lie

• give the lie to
• lie detector
• lie low

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.