false

adjective

\ ˈfȯls

falser; falsest

Definition of false

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not genuine false documents false teeth

2a : intentionally untrue false testimony

b : adjusted or made so as to deceive false scales a trunk with a false bottom

c : intended or tending to mislead a false promise

3 : not true false concepts

4a : not faithful or loyal : treacherous a false friend

b : lacking naturalness or sincerity false sympathy

5a : not essential or permanent —used of parts of a structure that are temporary or supplemental

b : fitting over a main part to strengthen it, to protect it, or to disguise its appearance a false ceiling

6 : inaccurate in pitch a false note

7a : based on mistaken ideas false pride

b : inconsistent with the facts a false position a false sense of security

8 : threateningly sudden or deceptive don't make any false moves

false

adverb

Definition of false (Entry 2 of 2)

: in a false or faithless manner : treacherously his friends played him false

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Choose the Right Synonym for false

Adjective

faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous, treacherous, perfidious mean untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance. faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty. faithless allies false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery. betrayed by false friends disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country. disloyal to their country traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust. traitorous acts punishable by death treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence. a treacherous adviser perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability. a perfidious double-crosser

Examples of false in a Sentence

Adjective

Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false. He registered at the hotel under a false name.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Once again, Today anchor Savannah Guthrie is having to confront online scammers. Right now, there are false advertisements circulating around social media claiming that the host is leaving her job at Today to spend more time on her skincare line. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Is Savannah Guthrie Leaving the 'Today' Show? The Anchor Just Shut Down Rumors," 8 Jan. 2019 No false eyelashes stuck to chins, or wearing last night’s lipstick for these two. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner Sharing a "J Sister" Bachelorette Hangover Is a Vibe," 6 Nov. 2018 Trump’s tweet is a false attack on the legitimacy of the 2018 election in the service of partisan ends. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "Trump’s attack on the Florida recounts is an attack on American democracy," 12 Nov. 2018 With six months of campaigning left, a deluge of political and social narratives — true and false — are being distributed to shape voters’ views. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Why social media is friend to far-right politicians around the world," 30 Oct. 2018 Good or bad, true, false or implied, who knows or wants to know what would be revealed? — WSJ, "Democrats Face Risk in Pursuing Kavanaugh," 15 Oct. 2018 Rumors pointed to the claim that Jeffree refused to invest in Laura's makeup brand, but Manny explained on Snapchat that those rumors were totally false. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "The Real Reason Why Jeffree Star and Laura Lee Are No Longer Friends," 22 Aug. 2018 Armstrong officials also are charged with making false statements about test results required every 60 days to protect those who work in the dustiest and most dangerous positions in the coal mines. — Beth Warren, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky coal mine officials charged with cheating on key safety tests," 11 July 2018 Despite having lost their appeal in the United States Court of Appeals, COD is continuing its false attacks against Dr. Breuder and COD’s claim for $25 million in damages is a baseless and transparent attempt to intimidate. — Stacy St. Clair, chicagotribune.com, "College of DuPage sues former president for $25 million," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Any assertion otherwise on the latter front rings false given that, as acting commissioner, Selig had to have known about the FBI’s Operation Equine, an early ’90s investigation into PED distribution that included McGwire and Canseco. — Jay Jaffe, SI.com, "Roger Clemens, Arguably the Greatest Pitcher of All-Time, Is Trending Toward Hall of Fame Induction," 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'false.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.