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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 Pollsters asked respondents about three false claims: that the measles vaccine is more dangerous than getting the disease; that the vaccine causes autism in children, and that vitamin A can prevent a measles infection. Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025 Reemerging as a cult figure with cameo roles in films and TV shows, a Broadway revival of his Pee-wee stage show, and a final Pee-wee film, Reubens refuses to have his legacy be defined by media scandals based on false rumors. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025 But the jitters still shook him, a false-start whistle blowing on his first 40-yard attempt at February’s NFL combine. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025 Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for false
Recent Examples of Synonyms for false
Adjective
  • For generations, his grave has been marked by an erroneous headstone with a Latin cross, not a Star of David, something Eiferman learned only recently.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But Trump sees trade deficits as America getting ripped off, which is erroneous.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Push your chairs and couches together to create a faux sectional look.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
  • And while both traditional and faux leather-making processes involve chemicals, PVC can release pollutants and toxic chemicals.
    Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In Asia, a shadow trade war has long been fought in China over intellectual property—mainly counterfeit goods like putting a Blackhawks logo on an unauthorized cap.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Image Beware of counterfeit eclipse glasses and solar viewers.
    Katrina Miller, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Most recent mock drafts are also split between an offensive lineman or cornerback Will Johnson from Michigan.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Take a look at how Omar Kelly envisions the first round playing out in the second and likely final version of his mock draft, unless there’s a trade made before Thursday night’s first-round kickoff.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Any email platform is exposed to this kind of attack, with scammers using fraudulent alerts and malicious links to entrap victims.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Affected individuals may be vulnerable to identity theft, fraudulent account openings and targeted phishing attempts.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Foreign military interventions can change victims from being viewed as a nuisance into being seen as powerful and traitorous enemies, potentially capable of exacting revenge, seizing power, or breaking away from the state.
    Benjamin A. Valentino, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2011
Adjective
  • Sometimes the results are inaccurate, generated by AI hallucinations – responses AI systems produce that sound convincing but are incorrect, made up or irrelevant.
    Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking with the New York Times, Jesuit expert Rev. Thomas J. Reese cited the layout of tables inside the Sistine Chapel, as well as the color of the carpet, to be inaccurate.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Money laundering operations are increasingly leveraging synthetic identities to obscure illicit financial flows.
    Parya Lotfi, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Consumers with allergies to synthetic food dyes are advised to monitor recall databases and carefully examine product labels.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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