fib 1 of 3

Definition of fibnext

fib

2 of 3

verb (1)

fib

3 of 3

verb (2)

British

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fib differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fib are equivocate, lie, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When might equivocate be a better fit than fib?

The synonyms equivocate and fib are sometimes interchangeable, but equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is lie a more appropriate choice than fib?

While the synonyms lie and fib are close in meaning, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

Where would palter be a reasonable alternative to fib?

The words palter and fib are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How are the words prevaricate and lie related as synonyms of fib?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

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 fib
Noun
Ventricular fibrillation, also known as V-fib, is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that causes a person's lower heart chambers to race and affects their ability to pump blood, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Terry Collins, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025 Fishel was eventually able to coax Adler to admit that his fib was merely a child's angry rationalization, born out of hurt, of their beloved parent suddenly receding from their daily life. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
The This Is Us actress stopped by the Not Gonna Lie podcast and told host Kylie Kelce that her singer hubby recently fibbed about watching the film to a friend. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 20 July 2025 Mexican, Chinese, Cuban restaurants, a Jersey Mike’s, a Sawgrass Mills eatery and a golf club restaurant that seems to have fibbed about why it was closed comprise the return of the Sick and Shut Down List. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fib
Noun
  • Indeed, a dying wish and a cryptic clue lead the unlikely duo on a journey full of twists and turns, bad choices, awkward conversations, lies, fights, mystery, betrayal, and a dangerous killer.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
  • In 30 seconds, lies are on your pocket phone.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Just outside the room, Hadley eagerly licked it up.
    Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
  • Just outside the room, Hadley eagerly licked it up.
    Laura Ungar, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • There is a little more to it, as the tale of the boy from Yonkers has some of the same up-and-down flair of the Knicks and Mets during his Hall of Fame career.
    Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • And hey, if this movie racks up the views, perhaps the next tale will make it to theaters, with bigger co-stars to boot.
    Mark Meszoros, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • If not too bad, it can be ignored and new growth should hide the blemishes.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
  • Buddy was hiding in the bushes on the side of a desolate highway when he was found by a good Samaritan and brought to a rescue.
    Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 30 May 2026
  • This two-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • This torturous ordeal marked Mee’s first time entering this cave, located in the foothills of a mining project near the village of Long Tieng, hours away from the nearest cities and on muddy roads that have been lashed by the rainy season.
    Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
  • Putin is lashing out by intensifying assaults on civilian targets, especially in the capital city of Kyiv.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • The Israeli military early Thursday pounded Lebanon’s fourth largest city, killing at least 14 people across the south of the country in its ongoing military escalation against the Hezbollah group ahead of crucial talks in Washington.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 29 May 2026
  • Fighter jets roared overhead, and air strikes pounded the surrounding hillsides, sending up thick plumes of acrid smoke.
    Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Matt Olson’s solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference Tuesday as the Braves beat the visiting Blue Jays 4-3 at Truist Park, beginning the three-game series with their 15th series-opening victory of the season.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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