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

As the Washington Post noted last December, the president has made over 7,500 false claims during the first 710 days of his presidency. — Sean Illing, Vox, "How the media should respond to Trump’s lies: State of the Union edition," 5 Feb. 2019 The Morning Consult/Hollywood Reporter survey also found large majorities who were concerned about harassment and assault in the workplace as well as large majorities concerned about false claims of harassment and assault in the workplace. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Are Gillette’s Customers More Toxic than its Management?," 15 Jan. 2019 This case is an object lesson in how false claims and fake news can come close to destroying people. — Fox News, "Couple admits to threesome with Dutch model, 18, before she was found naked, dead after falling off balcony," 2 Oct. 2018 No word yet on when Kylash launches, or if Jenner will choose to launch a mascara or false eyelashes first. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "It Looks Like Kylie Jenner is About to Drop a Kylie Cosmetics Mascara Called Kylash," 23 Jan. 2019 The new policy is a tougher expansion of Facebook’s effort to reduce voter manipulation while stopping short of banning all false or misleading posts. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Jeff Bezos wants to deliver you into space; R.I.P. Paul Allen," 16 Oct. 2018 In her mugshot, Perkins appears to have her facial makeup contoured, with bright pink eyeshadow, with a hint of sparkles, and false eyelashes. — Nicole Darrah, Fox News, "Texas woman arrested for marijuana takes mugshot, gets requests for makeup tips," 9 Aug. 2018 Or, check out this no fail way to apply false eyelashes for a more dramatic look: Step 2: Get a healthy glow Match your blush to your eyeshadow with Maybelline Fit Me! — Jennifer Tzeses, Seventeen, "3 Beauty Looks That Aren't Too Extra for Class," 25 July 2018 There were women with false eyelashes and fluffy tutus, and 70-year-olds in faded running club singlets. — Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "South Africa's unlikely ultramarathoner helps others cross the finish line," 6 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.