falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

spreading falsehoods about his opponent

2

: absence of truth or accuracy

The falsehood of this narrative made it no less effective.

—Peniel E. Joseph

3

: the practice of lying : mendacity

… Thomas Jefferson … accused the press of engaging in "falsehood and defamation" while covering his administration.

—Albert R. Hunt

Synonyms of falsehood

• delusion
• myth
• error
• illusion

Examples of falsehood in a Sentence

the line between truth and falsehood

the possibility of a perpetual motion machine is one falsehood that has been disproved by modern physics

Recent Examples on the Web

The end of the Part D premium subsidies has fostered two big prominent themes; one is a falsehood and the other presents a big risk. — Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

In a June poll, KFF asked whether respondents believed in four vaccine falsehoods. — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026

Among the more egregious falsehoods was the one McDonnell had told many people about her younger sister, Holly. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Defense attorneys also should not be able to reference the felony charges dismissed after video showed agents’ falsehoods. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for falsehood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood

Kids Definition

falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

2

: the habit of lying