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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 Rent control supporters continue to resurrect ineffective rent control proposals year after year, offering tenants false hope that will not solve the problem. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025 Aldridge could face up to 10 years in prison on each federal civil rights violation and 20 years for each false report, the news release said. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for false
Recent Examples of Synonyms for false
Adjective
  • The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • About 60 of those were licensed using the erroneous measurement system, mostly in New York City, plus around another 40 that have licenses but are yet to open their doors.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • During 1-on-1 drills, Morris lined up against London, looking to press the wideout as a faux defensive back.
    Hailey Hurst, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Key styles include knitted jacquard suiting and reversible coats lined with faux fur, satin pants, tweed suits, and modern pinstripes on chiffon.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ownership is clear, authenticity is unquestionable, and counterfeit coins simply cannot exist within the network.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Five people from New York — including two juveniles — were arrested on Monday and accused of trying to use counterfeit money at a number of businesses in Westport.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways.
    Arielle Zionts. KFF Health News, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The tin box includes a hinged plastic clear window where a small paper copy of an issue of The Daily Planet, featuring a large photo of Superboy’s canine pal Krypto on the front page with a mock story.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Candidates flagged for fraudulent behavior had a 27% lower quality of hire than their honest peers, according to the same study.
    Michael Fitzsimmons, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Jones was charged with three felonies — theft of a credit card, criminal use of personal identification information, and fraudulent use of a credit card over two times within six months, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Clarisse looks intimidating climbing out of a boat, as does Bushnell’s traitorous Luke, who wields a sharp-looking knife.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 24 July 2025
  • There's a delicious whodunit aspect to it, too, as the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes the operative's own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • The president has also made inaccurate statements about certain BLS records.
    Isabella Murray, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The White House defended the president’s decision, suggesting the employment numbers and the downward revisions of the past two months were inaccurate.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Once the domain of well-resourced threat actors, tools for creating synthetic images, videos and voices are now broadly available.
    Mohamed Lazzouni, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Situated near Surat, which is known as India’s synthetic textile capital, the new facility will have access to an abundant supply of polyester textile waste feedstock.
    Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/false. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

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