fib 1 of 3

fib

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verb (1)

fib

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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
But even after getting caught in the fib, the woman doesn’t waver. Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 June 2025 But Ulman has strung together a net of interesting observations: glances, insults, mistaken presumptions and gaslighting fibs. Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 15 May 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
  • And then everything else about the money is just another lie.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
  • It is entirely based on Hamas’s campaign of lies and the laundering of those lies by others.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some versions of the tale hold that the song's name came from a stripper Roth knew.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Corbis via Getty Images Father Mother Sister Brother is the hilariously bleak Jim Jarmusch’s offering to the global archive of family tales, this one in triptych form, each family vignette set in a different country.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is a developing story and will be updated.
    Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fib

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