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
  • Among the most persistent examples of those divisions are the lies and misinformation about elections that have spread for years through online social channels.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Troll farms, bots, and foreign actors manipulated social platforms to spread lies, sow division, and undermine democratic elections.
    Jeremy H. Gottschalk, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Arias weaves a lovely tale of unrequited love that isn’t as unrequited in this sapphic, slow-burn romance that also touches on weighty topics, including divorce and grief.
    Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The tell-tale signs continued to add up.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As a recent ProPublica story revealed, the promises of the H-2A visa program can be undermined by extreme abuses the workers suffer, mostly by labor contractors.
    Max Blau, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The dream drive package includes private transfer to The Barn, Napa Valley Car Club's exclusive clubhouse, post-drive drinks and stories and return transfer.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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