fib 1 of 3

Definition of fibnext

fib

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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
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 Jax, on the other hand, is well known for fighting, fibbing, and all the other words that start with F, including fornicating, filibustering, failing, and face-planting. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fib
Noun
  • Having to fight and co-exist with those hell-bent on spewing lies and attention-grabbing hyperbole only clouds up the room, ruins the mood and takes away minutes from those who have been tackling real problems that truly need their government’s help.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
  • Yesteryear is narrated by a woman named Natalie Heller Mills, a Ballerina Farm facsimile who is pregnant with her sixth child at the beginning of the novel, and whose pixel-perfect online life as @YesteryearRanch is essentially all a lie.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • The parallels between Ines’ dilemma and that of a nation being asked to lick its wounds in silence — in the name of moving on from past miseries — are present but elusive.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2026
  • At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • That’s easier to accomplish the further the plot moves away from a diplomatic incident involving several national institutions and toward an occasionally absurd — but absorbing and well-paced — tale of individuals in over their heads.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • San Diego County can once again be a model of fiscal responsibility — not a cautionary tale.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Without sofas, curtains, or rugs to soften things, your color palette has nowhere to hide.
    Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
  • Many fish live, hide and eat the small shrimp and crabs that are within the seaweed, which made her snorkeling adventure more exciting.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Galvin later confronted the man who had messaged Kianna, who told her several different stories, according to Childs’ report.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • In previous years, the 31-year-old originally from Chicago might have lashed back when accosted on the ice.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
  • Lively has maintained this approach was in line with the press tactic laid out for her by Sony, but the internet quickly lashed out at her given the film’s serious subject matter.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The Charlotte area received 2 to 2 1/2 inches of sometimes pounding rain this week, according to the National Weather Service.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
  • Larnach’s two-run double in the fourth inning on Tuesdsay split the gap and broke the game open as the Twins pounded the Washington Nationals 11-3 at Nationals Park.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • In March, Israel dropped charges against five soldiers who had been accused of beating and sodomizing a Palestinian detainee in an alleged assault partially caught on camera.
    Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Mike Yastrzemski drove in three, including two on his first homer of the season as part of a four-run fifth, and the Braves beat the Cubs 5-2 in the opener of a three-game series at Truist Park.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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