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as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value false advertising that claimed that the vegetables were organically grown when they weren't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word false different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of false are disloyal, faithless, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

When is disloyal a more appropriate choice than false?

Although the words disloyal and false have much in common, disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

When is it sensible to use faithless instead of false?

The words faithless and false can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of false?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

Where would traitorous be a reasonable alternative to false?

In some situations, the words traitorous and false are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When can treacherous be used instead of false?

The synonyms treacherous and false are sometimes interchangeable, but treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of false Anyone caught calling in a false report could be charged with a third-degree felony. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025 An excellent demo is what distinguishes the truth from false claims. Claire Trimble, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 Most notably, Trump has clashed with South Africa over false claims that white South African farmers are being regularly killed by Black locals, leading Washington to cut all US aid to the country and extend some white Afrikaners refugee status. Mathias Hammer, semafor.com, 12 June 2025 On Wednesday, Dobbins addressed the story about his false claims. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for false
Recent Examples of Synonyms for false
Adjective
  • However, this setup is relatively inflexible, as minor displacements or changes require recalibration, often resulting in erroneous test results.
    Prasad Banala, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Thursday, the Cubs jumped the gun and announced the new pope was a fan on their Wrigley Field marquee after an erroneous report on ABC.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • There are epic style moments in the new series, including one segment where Ashanti wears a white faux fur coat.
    Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Amid all the showmanship on Thursday, hosted by a faux Austin Powers, there will be retro music and dancing.
    Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, the DEA seized more than 60 million counterfeit pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder nationwide — enough to deliver more than 380 million lethal doses.
    Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
  • The Comité records all transactions, track the movement, manages the reserve and protects the appellation against counterfeit products.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Connelly, like many media members, has taken part in the annual mock selection sessions run by the CFP to provide a window into its process.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • In fact, some mock boards don’t have Luis being drafted at all.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Execution: With these tools in place, fraudsters can open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans and carry out high-value transactions, all while appearing completely legitimate.
    Parya Lotfi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • This includes Amazon allowing small businesses to make multiple appeals when fighting a fraudulent return.
    Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Michael Fassbender plays a British intelligence officer tasked with finding who leaked a top-secret software program and betrayed their country, and the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes his own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Smith made out their former collaborators to be ungrateful and traitorous, and the kids weren't given the space to question her command.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Along with his father and grandfather, Bambino gets to work sweeping up the stars in a cute, but wildly inaccurate, explanation for the phases of the Moon.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025
  • Board President Jodie Williams disagreed with Allman that the document was inaccurate, noting it had been prepared with guidance from the county.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Shifting lights, soft colors, and synthetic materials make the space feel strange but calming.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • In Canada and in Europe — where synthetic colors are required to carry warning labels — manufacturers mostly use natural substitutes.
    Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/false. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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