Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective untruthful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untruthful are deceitful, dishonest, and mendacious. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than untruthful?

The words deceitful and untruthful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When would dishonest be a good substitute for untruthful?

While the synonyms dishonest and untruthful are close in meaning, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When might mendacious be a better fit than untruthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to untruthful, 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

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 untruthful 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 However, Miranda, Assad, and Arroyo routinely failed in their obligations to cooperate with the investigation by delaying responses, refusing to provide certain information or documents, and providing inconsistent or untruthful responses. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024 Phelan, largely brushing off Covey's attacks as politically motivated and untruthful, has stuck to his reputation of having represented the district through several election cycles, running unopposed over the past several, and his work to advance border security legislation and funding last year. Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • The latest erroneous metaphor is that our brains are like AI systems.
    Iddo Gefen, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
  • The amount a state owes would be based on a formula set by the percentage of erroneous payments reported each year.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The central bank, under intense scrutiny from President Donald Trump and his allies, is quietly trying to mitigate any potentially inaccurate claims and attacks stemming from Trump’s upcoming Thursday afternoon tour of the Fed’s renovation site at its headquarters facing the National Mall.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
  • Former fourth-round pick Javon Baker did not reel in either of his two targets, both inaccurate passes from Dobbs.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • So, in that moment, the things that are coming out of my mouth are not dishonest.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 July 2025
  • Writing faculty have both the agency and the academic freedom to examine generative AI’s dishonest training origins and conclude: There is no path to ethically teach AI skills.
    Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • One company statement referenced the video and stories related to it by pointing out incorrect information.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • At Comedy Central, Colbert rose to prominence playing a slightly exaggerated version of Bill O’Reilly and other unapologetically mendacious Fox News pundits from the George W. Bush years.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
  • The true story reveals both how freedom of speech first came to be conceived of as a mechanism for truth, an antidote to falsehood, and the foundation of all liberty—and that, ironically, this new and powerful theory was itself a deliberately mendacious fiction.
    Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Anxiety about your bowel habits may stem from the belief that there’s something wrong with them.
    Sarah Garone, Health, 30 July 2025
  • If the calculation is wrong, everything downstream—equipment selection, duct sizing, airflow balancing—will also be off.
    Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • The leaders who rise—and the companies that outperform—will be those that refuse the false trade-off.
    Jack Zenger, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • Winfrey's spokesperson told Newsweek that these reports are false, and that the road will remain open as long as is necessary.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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