untrue

adjective

un·​true ˌən-ˈtrü 

1

: not faithful : disloyal

discovered his friends were untrue

untrue to one's duty

2

: not according with a standard of correctness : not level or exact

untrue doors

3

: not according with the facts : false

… led the witness almost immediately, in his deposition, into a demonstrably untrue answer

—Renata Adler

untruly

ˌən-ˈtrü-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of untrue

• erroneous
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• wrong
• false

Examples of untrue in a Sentence

He made untrue statements to the press.

Her lover had been untrue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Findings in news reports indicated both claims appeared to be untrue. — Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The fact that this was untrue—Holmes had dyed his hair red, but not for that reason—did little to dispel the rumor, which seemed to fit the popular belief that violent, dystopian art has the power to induce some viewers to commit terrible crimes. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

How Japan made use of the rumors The rumors, while untrue, did offer Japan an opportunity to position itself as an anti-colonial leader. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

This little addendum—that politics mean nothing to the Bret Easton Ellis of 2023—is eminently untrue, as anyone who has listened to his podcast, which often turns to political commentary, will attest. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for untrue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

untrue

adjective

un·​true ˌən-ˈtrü 

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

-ˈtrü-lē 

adverb