lie 1 of 3

lie

2 of 3

verb (2)

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

2
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

3 of 3

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lie
Verb
Different bark beetles tunnel beneath the bark and lay eggs. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025 Just 10 minutes from central Stockholm lies the green oasis of Nacka, where this lovely home sits on the lakefront. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
American Airlines still flies a limited number of international and transcontinental routes with a dedicated first-class cabin, over and above their lie-flat business-class seats, but the airline plans to phase those out in the near future. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker spoke at a college commencement in 2024 and told the women that they have been told lies about their futures and probably were more excited about being wives and mothers than taking on careers. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie
Noun
  • Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on hometown harvests, top tales and remarkable marathon runs.
    , FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Hollywood streamers and studios seemingly can't resist such tales, which explains the boom of true crime documentaries and dramatizations over the past decade.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • This is a developing story and will be updated.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The only way forward is through compromise and cooperation — not falsehoods and finger-pointing.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
  • His falsehoods would catch up with him less than a year after his term began.
    NPR, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This performance is straight out of a fairy tale and builds tangible momentum for the organization for the rest of this season.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • What’s more, Murnau and screenwriter Henrik Galeen transformed Stoker’s novel into an enigmatic fairy tale.
    Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lie. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lie

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