1
as in myths
a false idea or belief
the possibility of a perpetual motion machine is one falsehood that has been disproved by modern physics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lies
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
several falsehoods in the witness's testimony that may be grounds for perjury
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 falsehoods
In this environment, influencers and politically motivated accounts now function as de facto broadcasters, often spreading half-truths, distortions or outright falsehoods with little accountability.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
This will cause people to be unsure of what is truth versus falsehoods.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump has targeted freedom of speech, attempting to control and change information — often with misinformation and falsehoods — to push his views into the media, higher education, national museums and the arts.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
On a far too frequent basis, Americans have listened to the erratic falsehoods of a pathologically narcissistic president while our Republican leaders in Congress cower in the corners of their offices in a state of self-protective paralysis.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Powell and Giuliani settled lawsuits with Dominion over election falsehoods.
—Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Fairness can’t be built on falsehoods.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Those bogus images and videos spread not just on X, but also along other superhighways of falsehoods, notably the Meta platforms Instagram, Facebook and Threads, albeit with less engagement.
—James Warren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Brigitte and her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, have long faced such falsehoods, including allegations that she was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux — the actual name of her older brother.
—Reuters, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
This will cause people to be unsure of what is truth versus falsehoods.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump has targeted freedom of speech, attempting to control and change information — often with misinformation and falsehoods — to push his views into the media, higher education, national museums and the arts.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
On a far too frequent basis, Americans have listened to the erratic falsehoods of a pathologically narcissistic president while our Republican leaders in Congress cower in the corners of their offices in a state of self-protective paralysis.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Powell and Giuliani settled lawsuits with Dominion over election falsehoods.
—Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026
Fairness can’t be built on falsehoods.
—Alanna Smith, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
Those bogus images and videos spread not just on X, but also along other superhighways of falsehoods, notably the Meta platforms Instagram, Facebook and Threads, albeit with less engagement.
—James Warren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Brigitte and her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, have long faced such falsehoods, including allegations that she was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux — the actual name of her older brother.
—Reuters, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falsehoods
Noun
-
The chief human resources officer at $76 billion giant Colgate-Palmolive, Sally Massey, dispelled the myths that Gen Z only brings high standards and chaos to the workplace.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Now, there are some myths circulating around the benefits of hot water.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Video recorded by people on the scene quickly revealed those accounts to be blatant lies.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The novel threatens the lies of a totalitarian regime like the Islamic Republic.—
Azar Nafisi,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So the dreams — or delusions — of past officials proved false.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The darkly comedic drama confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Join me each week for these and other tales about Des Moines' and Iowa's surprisingly colorful past.—
Bill Steiden,
Des Moines Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Rockrohr used both sides of this visual coin, telling of groundwork done by the late Harry Teshima to bring Black residents into the community and tales of lasting friendships and stories of insults thrown at Black students.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Texas coach Vic Schaefer has also yanked post players Justice Carlton and Ashton Judd after on-court errors in the first half, and the Longhorns entered this timeout with four guards and Oldacre on the court.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the data tells stories of its own.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Testimony is also likely to include emotional stories from those who were in the school that day.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rybakina was under more scoreboard pressure in her service games, but Sabalenka’s opportunities were mostly illusions.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Saturn brings accountability, Neptune dissolves illusions and Aries demands action.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falsehoods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falsehoods. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
