lie 1 of 3

lie

2 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to lead
to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to hide
to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lie differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lie are equivocate, fib, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

When could equivocate be used to replace lie?

The words equivocate and lie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would fib be a reasonable alternative to lie?

While in some cases nearly identical to lie, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use palter instead of lie?

While the synonyms palter and lie are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another?

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 lie
Verb
Where the opportunities lie The front and the belly of the curve remain the most attractive, said Rieder, who is also the portfolio manager of iShares Flexible Income Active ETF (BINC) . Michelle Fox, CNBC, 30 June 2025 But at the heart of its success lies a key principle: integration, but aligning them around the unique needs of each business owner. Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Noun
But once in Ireland, Fiona realizes that the story of her and her mother being abandoned on her 10th birthday was all along a protective lie. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025 The lie corporate America has told for too long is that culture is soft. Greg Dolan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie
Noun
  • Where Bailey lands is probably going to tell the tale of his career.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • The page lists half a dozen directorial projects Ford is attached to, including ferry disaster tragedy Wahine out of New Zealand, fantasy tale The King of Light – The Order of the Dark Gods, and comedy Food Fight.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • For beautiful views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam, head to this greenspace with a scenic 1.3-mile trail along the waterfront with interpretive displays sharing stories about Florence’s history.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
  • This story will be updated after the men's event concludes.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The growth in measles cases over the past few months comes as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to deliver an inconsistent message about measles as well as pushing falsehoods about the measles vaccine and its makeup.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • The narrative echoes similar falsehoods that circulated during the 2020 George Floyd protests and the 2024 pro-Palestinian student protests on university campuses.
    Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973) $11 The 1987 movie is universally beloved, but the funny and often brutal fairy tale is just a part of the original novel, a complex work of metafiction.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • Others bring friends - or their kids (there’s even a kids programme including fairy tale readings).
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lie. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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