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

This included blue and pink eye shadows, false lashes, winged liner — the works. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "This Woman Started Wearing Full Glam to Spite Her Makeup-Shaming Coworker," 3 May 2019 Theft by false pretenses: 4900 block of Alta Canyada Road. — latimes.com, "Crime Report: Woman’s car stolen from YMCA lot, then returned to a nearby parking space," 4 July 2018 In an indictment made public Monday, the individuals were also accused of engaging in unfair competition, embezzlement, tax evasion and giving false witness. — William Boston, WSJ, "Volkswagen Ex-CEO Faces Fresh Fraud Charges Over Emissions Scandal," 15 Apr. 2019 Jordyn has her own clothing line, SECNDNTURE, an activewear brand, as well as a collab with false eyelashes brand Eylure. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Jordyn Woods' Net Worth is Still Insane Even Without Kylie Jenner's Support," 3 Apr. 2019 The third type of operation involves feeding receivers false location data, say, reporting the position of a person’s cell phone a dozen or so miles from its actual position. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Report: Russia Engaging in Widespread Satellite Navigation Spoofing," 3 Apr. 2019 Sadly, Daniel had a terrible allergic reaction to his green contact lenses and had to stop wearing them, while Emma Watson couldn't speak clearly wearing her false buck teeth. 6. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "33 Mind-Blowing "Harry Potter" Movie Facts That'll Make You Want to Watch Them All Over Again," 31 Jan. 2019 But all signs—from the false diagnoses and nonsensical list of drugs to the manipulative behavior—point to FDIA. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "How True Is 'The Act'? The Hulu Series' Backstory Is Chilling," 20 Mar. 2019 But doctors said the potential false positives and other aspects of the study show that people should be cautious about relying on the technology as diagnostic tools. ... — Peter Loftus, WSJ, "Apple Watch Has Mixed Results in Big Heart Study," 16 Mar. 2019

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.