dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.
a swindle usually involves two dishonest people
deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.
the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse
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
untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.
an untruthful account of their actions
Examples of dishonest in a Sentence
She gave dishonest answers to our questions.
I think he is being dishonest about how much he knows
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According to Orly Mazur, a tax specialist and associate professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, more people are likely willing to risk being dishonest when filing taxes.—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 And worse yet, someone might be dishonest with you.—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 23 June 2025 The court also found Angelia Solomon to be dishonest in her testimony, the ruling notes.—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 8 May 2025 Avoid generic, spammy tactics, over-automation or dishonest ploys.—Samuel Darwin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dishonest
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French deshoneste, from des- dis- + honeste honest
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