Definition of falsenext
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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 Royal news has dominated headlines throughout 2026, including a shocking false report of King Charles’ death. Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2026 Gilman's family members and representatives have said that in addition to the false charges levied against him, Gilman was subjected to torture and harsh physical and mental abuse by Russian prison guards. Mariam Khan, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Ty Masterson’s response Masterson campaign spokesperson Garrett Henson said the complaint was a waste of the ethics commission’s time and the dismissal proved the allegations were false. Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 Right now, Paramount and Warner Bros are spearheading a public relations campaign to spin a narrative that is simply false. Rob Bonta, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for false
Recent Examples of Synonyms for false
Adjective
  • However, the rollout of these changes is marred by application glitches, payment calculation errors, erroneous delinquency notices, and massive backlogs for loan forgiveness programs.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The source said the Post’s report that such a conversation had been arranged was erroneous.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Add black ribbon or a handful of faux spider webs for Halloween, and swap out later with autumnal foliage for Thanksgiving.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But with sneakers strewn in the doorway and a cookbook opened to a specific recipe, the faux house felt lived in.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Families typically will have no way of knowing what materials are inside counterfeit products.
    Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The murder case is based upon the legal theory that Batsukh knowingly introduced the danger to Wilson despite his knowledge that the pills were counterfeit and unsafe.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • For the movie's California premiere, the star, who is pregnant with her third child, looked radiant in a baby-blue mock-neck top featuring a mid-drift hem that perfectly framed her growing baby bump.
    Morgan Evans, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Juice a Mock Scrape Where legally permitted, juicing a scrape or creating a mock scrape can influence deer, too.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The fraudulent registration charge is a misdemeanor; the other two are felonies, involving activity during September 2024 and October 2025, pending in the 39th District Court in Macomb County.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Two insurance companies affiliated with Walters happen to be under federal investigation for potential fraudulent loans, according to the Los Angeles Times.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Telemachus’ lone contribution is killing Melanthius, the traitorous Ithacan farmhand, thus preventing him from continuing to arm the suitors.
    Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • And at the very center of Hell is Satan himself, the traitorous Archangel Lucifer, depicted as a monstrous creature with wings and three heads.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Misleading updates The suit details several allegations of investors’ being given updates that ended up being misleading or false.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Numerous studies have shown that Covid-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy, but Republican senators have recently stirred up false and misleading claims that are now spreading on social media.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • These messages were a launching pad for the spread of inaccurate data, particularly claims about an 82% risk of miscarriage associated with Covid-19 vaccines.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • His quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, didn’t have the best placement to start Thursday’s game, but Stribling came down with all but one inaccurate throw.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/false. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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