FALLACY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

fallacy

noun

ˈfa-lə-sē

Definition of fallacy

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

truth
verity

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 The sunk cost fallacy is the silent killer of rational decision-making. — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 Like being able to recognize logical fallacies and how to have media literacy. — Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register, 7 May 2026 For example, the false dilemma logical fallacy has become a very popular way to persuade people to incorrectly believe there are only two options. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Since the city adopted the video release policy more than a decade ago, experience has repeatedly demonstrated the fallacy of limiting inquiry to the precise moment when a police officer fires their gun. — Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fallacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallacy

Noun

As in other sports , every fan base enters certain levels of delusion.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Symptoms of toxicity can include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and increases in blood pressure and heart rate.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

There appears to be no indication the scammer or scammers behind this web of deception are anywhere close to slowing down.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
But Richard Adams Locke, who wrote the series, later claimed that deception wasn’t his goal.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deception

Noun

One of the more popular myths accepted as fact is that the WNBA has bricked the breakaway slam dunk that is Caitlin Clark phenomenon.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
The pervading myth goes that Henry was knowingly tricked into marrying Anne of Cleves by her falsely beguiling thirst trap of a portrait.

— Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of myth

Noun

Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.

— Sue Brightman, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025

Definition of deceptiveness

Noun

Smith allowed Boston to load the bases when Ceddanne Rafaela lined a single over a leaping Willy Adames, leaving him with no margin for error against the heart of Boston’s lineup.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
The Missouri Supreme Court overturned the verdict a year later, however, citing errors by the judge and concluding that the prosecution never proved a murder had even been committed.

— Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of error

Noun

But planning and repositioning are different exercises, and the space between them is exactly where the diversification illusion lives longest.

— Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s remaining illusions not just about Moscow but also about Beijing.

— Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

Getty Images As wildfires sweep Europe and North America, falsehoods about their causes and the nature of climate change are spreading like, well, wildfire.

— David Vetter, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
In a June poll, KFF asked whether respondents believed in four vaccine falsehoods.

— Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of falsehood

Browse Nearby Words

fallaciousness

fallacy

fal-lal

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Style

“Fallacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallacy. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fallacy

noun

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