untruthful

1 of 2

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

untruthfulness

2 of 2

noun

un·​truth·​ful·​ness

: the quality or state of being untruthful

Synonyms of untruthful

Adjective

• erroneous
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• wrong
• false

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

This inquiry identified insufficient evidence to conclude that Garcia knowingly made an untruthful statement. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Since 2019, state law has required law enforcement agencies that employ POST certificate holders to notify the board if a certificate holder knowingly made an untruthful statement during an internal affairs investigation, among other circumstances. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026

In his earlier testimony on Thursday morning, Espinoza told Wise County District Attorney James Stainton that Horner had been untruthful throughout the investigative process. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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