untruthful

adjective

un·​truth·​ful ˌən-ˈtrüth-fəl 

: not containing or telling the truth : false, inaccurate

an untruthful report

untruthfully

ˌən-ˈtrüth-fə-lē 

adverb

untruthfulness noun

Synonyms

• erroneous
• false
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• inexact
• invalid
• off
• unsound
• untrue
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for untruthful

dishonest, deceitful, mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief.

dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Examples of untruthful in a Sentence

an unintentionally untruthful statement that the candidate later corrected

the political action committee was slammed for spreading untruthful smears about the candidate and his wife

Recent Examples on the Web

During the trial, prosecutors showed videos of the multiple interviews Troconis had with law enforcement and accused her of being untruthful about Farber Dulos’ disappearance. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025

President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement on June 1 was terribly misguided, and his justification for doing so was misleading and untruthful. —Robert N. Stavins, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2017

What is more untruthful: A thing written down, or a sustained deception of the heart? —Nicolette Polek, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024

On Wednesday, the defense attacked Marquez’s credibility, questioning his motives for cooperating with the FBI and grilling him over episodes in his background that might paint him as untruthful. —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1843, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for untruthful

• truthful
• youthful

Kids Definition

untruthful

adjective

un·​truth·​ful ˌən-ˈtrüth-fəl 

ˈən-

: not containing or telling the truth : false, inaccurate

untruthful reports

untruthfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

untruthfulness noun