as in lies
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 half-truths
Social media spread half-truths faster than public-health leaders could correct them.
—
Robert Pearl, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
In a field crowded by lore, half-truths, and marketing copy, Chartreuse distinguishes itself by being the real deal.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2025
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
Robert Pearl, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
In a field crowded by lore, half-truths, and marketing copy, Chartreuse distinguishes itself by being the real deal.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-truths
Noun
-
In June 2025, Peacock revealed the latest slate of celebrities set to battle it out in a high-stakes game of lies, alliances and betrayal inside a castle in the Scottish Highlands — all for a chance to win up to $250,000.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The characters are lying, to themselves and to each other, but the role of the audience in believing or not believing their lies is totally irrelevant.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Immigration tales tend to adopt a hybrid form—part elegy for life in the home country, part hymn to the promise of the new.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The rest will fade into irrelevance — remembered not for their art or innovation, but as cautionary tales of what happens when inclusion becomes optional.—
Kimberly S. Reed,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Below, Dyens and Miailhe speak to Deadline about the importance of unearthing human stories amid the tragedy of the World War II era.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Slight distortions of gas suggest there may be interactions between the cloud and galaxy.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Now, if the election is close, those interventions and distortions may be enough.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-truths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-truths. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share