as in lie
a statement that is only partly true and that is intended to deceive people
I'm tired of all these half-truths—I want to know the real story.
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Recent Examples of half-truth
In a world where images are so numerous and so difficult to understand, truth itself can be in danger, threatened by false interpretations and distorted, misleading half-truths.
—
Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
The intrigue in The Martians comes from its author’s patient demonstration of how half-truths and subjective observations can snowball into consensus.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
As usual, the fake posts are often mixed with half-truths.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Well, not a lie, but a half-truth.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Dunham, who wrote and directed the episode, also seeds their interactions with the distractions, evasions, and half-truths of two people with baggage who aren’t yet comfortable baring their whole souls.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
Gutter guard companies and salesmen may be spewing half-truths to you.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
Science and reason get stepped on by half-truths and conspiracy theories.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
The intrigue in The Martians comes from its author’s patient demonstration of how half-truths and subjective observations can snowball into consensus.
—David Kamp, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025
As usual, the fake posts are often mixed with half-truths.
—John Brandon, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Well, not a lie, but a half-truth.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Dunham, who wrote and directed the episode, also seeds their interactions with the distractions, evasions, and half-truths of two people with baggage who aren’t yet comfortable baring their whole souls.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
Gutter guard companies and salesmen may be spewing half-truths to you.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
Science and reason get stepped on by half-truths and conspiracy theories.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-truth
Noun
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The story has too many rich details to be a lie, and Marlon knows something of woe too.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Schiff has been repeatedly criticized by the President, who claimed that the Senator had made up lies about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Instead, spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will forever tell tales of his audacious 60 off just 65 balls.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Wyler’s Oscar-winning film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) – a timely tale of the weight of coming home from World War II – was named as subversive by HUAC.—
Chris Yogerst,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This story will be updated as more information becomes available.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
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The series’ first season, chronicling the crimes of Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, prompted a conversation about the exploitation of Black and disabled people’s stories for entertainment, while the season following the Menendez Brothers led to a real-world reconsidering of their guilt.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-truth. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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