falsify

verb

fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying

transitive verb

1
: to prove or declare false : disprove
2
: to make false: such as
a
: to make false by mutilation or addition
the accounts were falsified to conceal a theft
b
: to represent falsely : misrepresent
3
: to prove unsound by experience

intransitive verb

: to tell lies : lie
falsifiable adjective
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Examples of falsify in a Sentence

He was caught falsifying financial accounts. taking that statement completely out of context essentially falsifies it, whether that's your intention or not
Recent Examples on the Web The most serious, falsifying records and voting absentee and in person, carry maximum penalties of five years behind bars. Craig Mauger The Detroit News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 5 Oct. 2024 The couple filed a deed for the property in June 2024, which 594 Mapleton LLC claims is falsified. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2024 The new indictment includes additional allegations about how the former officers allegedly falsified the affidavit for the search warrant. CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024 An investigation conducted by the company around March 2022 determined the military orders were falsified. Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for falsify 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'falsify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English falsifien, from Middle French falsifier, from Medieval Latin falsificare, from Latin falsus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of falsify was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near falsify

Cite this Entry

“Falsify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/falsify. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

falsify

verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false : change so as to deceive
falsify financial accounts
falsification noun
falsifier noun

Legal Definition

falsify

transitive verb
fal·​si·​fy ˈfȯl-si-ˌfī How to pronounce falsify (audio)
falsified; falsifying
: to make false: as
a
: to make (as a document) false by mutilation, alteration, or addition
the motel clerk had falsified the recordsM. A. Kelly
b
: to report (as information) falsely
the informant falsified his testimony

More from Merriam-Webster on falsify

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