1
as in delusion
a false idea or belief
the once-common fallacy that girls just weren't any good at math
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deception
the quality or state of being false
the fallacy of the notion of spontaneous generation was demonstrated by the Dutch naturalist Leeuwenhoek
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fallacy
This is a logical fallacy—specifically, a misinterpretation of categorical logic.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
One such skill is identifying logical fallacies and inconsistencies in arguments, both of which errors are exemplified in Mr. Williams’ article.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
That fallacy is now deeply entrenched in the U.S. mindset, thanks to generations of leaders who believed that diplomacy would create a liberal utopia.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
To understand the financial fallacy behind the idea that $5,000 is a reasonable return on the investment required to raise a child, just ask any parent their thoughts.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
One such skill is identifying logical fallacies and inconsistencies in arguments, both of which errors are exemplified in Mr. Williams’ article.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
That fallacy is now deeply entrenched in the U.S. mindset, thanks to generations of leaders who believed that diplomacy would create a liberal utopia.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
To understand the financial fallacy behind the idea that $5,000 is a reasonable return on the investment required to raise a child, just ask any parent their thoughts.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallacy
Noun
-
Valerie often allowed her vanity and delusion to stand in her way, but also has a certain purity in her desire for mainstream success; viewers on the show’s wavelength might alternately cringe, laugh and feel deeply for her over the course of just a few minutes.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
5 June 2025
-
Although she was never formally diagnosed, E.A. believes Lewes may have experienced bipolar disorder, marked by episodes of extreme paranoia and delusions, which became more frequent as time went on.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
But these seductions or deceptions are canceled when the work confronts us with the photographic records of the performative procedure itself—and not only by making the photograph an integral component, the dialectical complement to the material sculptural production.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
He’s got some deception on the puck and does a good job holding onto it to wait for secondary options to open up, but slows the game down too much.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The myth had inspired many works by Old Masters, including several paintings by Titian.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
The line between the reality and the myth becomes blurred, and this confusion continues to harm women, especially those who are isolated and silenced.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The government has admitted in court that his deportation was an administrative error.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2025
-
Of course, if a prominent individual in government with conservative or even reactionary views indicates their displeasure with Trump, that’s a signal to the Democratic Party that the center can hold, that a fanciful abundance of swing voters can be yet persuaded of the error of their ways.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
High ceilings, tall doors, oversized windows, and a herringbone parquet floor with oversized proportions were also key to creating the illusion of extra space.—
Mailin Sophie Zieser,
Architectural Digest,
7 June 2025
-
While there is a warming and cooling sensation associated with these products, the ingredients act on nerve endings to create an illusion of hot and cold.—
Novant Health,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
But internal documents reviewed by NPR show that Meta is considering automating reviews for sensitive areas including AI safety, youth risk and a category known as integrity that encompasses things like violent content and the spread of falsehoods.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
31 May 2025
-
This misperception that the beach is safe introduced as big a misconception and falsehood on the public, as the idea that sharks are all dangerous.—
Chris Pepin-Neff,
Scientific American,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fallacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallacy. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share