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
It’s based on the fallacy of naturalism.
—
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To be clear, the narrative that American businesses have disappeared from the climate discussion is a fallacy.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere…The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The fallacy of screen time holds that measuring a ubiquitous phenomenon provides information that allows for control of that phenomenon—that keeping records of a chronic state will give rise to certain habits of self-healing.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To be clear, the narrative that American businesses have disappeared from the climate discussion is a fallacy.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere…The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The fallacy of screen time holds that measuring a ubiquitous phenomenon provides information that allows for control of that phenomenon—that keeping records of a chronic state will give rise to certain habits of self-healing.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fallacy
Noun
-
The therapist could practice on a person pretending to have delusions, though this is likely costly and logistically complicated to arrange.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The neuropsychiatric effects of Huntington's disease include mood changes and altered thinking, such as hallucinations and delusions.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Named one of the 10 Best Books of 2025 by The New York Times, Angel Down follows Private Cyril Bagger, who has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of WWI through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The drama about power, deception, and the complex bond between father and son is set in 1930s New York as international financier Gregor Antonescu’s empire faces collapse.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Emily Mendenhall traces the medical myths, gender bias, and neurological truths behind hysteria, one of history’s most damaging diagnoses.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The myth is that constant availability is productive when the data suggests otherwise.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
Medal reallocations have historically surfaced after doping or other cheating cases, but Chiles’ dispute centered on an apparent error by the International Gymnastics Federation, the sport’s governing body.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Elevated prices though have narrowed the margin for error.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Everything that appears normal is an illusion, a bigger lie than The Big Lie.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The creative team includes movement by Steven Hoggett, sets by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry and illusions by Jamie Harrison.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This will cause people to be unsure of what is truth versus falsehoods.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Glitchy programming isn’t the only font of falsehood.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fallacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fallacy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
