lie detector

noun

Definition of lie detectornext
as in polygraph
an instrument for detecting physical signs of the tension that goes with lying hooked the suspect up to a lie detector before interrogating him about the robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 detector These plays all scratch the same exact itch of, say, watching Bachelorette hunks get hooked up to a lie detector or watching Mike White whine about the lack of fine cuisine on Survivor. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 McGrail agrees to take a lie detector test. — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 14 May 2026 Basically, Tsimhoni says, the testing acts as a lie detector. — Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026 Would that statement hold up against a lie detector test? — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lie detector
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie detector
polygraph
Noun
  • Both Leroy and Jessie refused polygraph tests, according to the report.
    — Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
  • My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of polygraph

Browse Nearby Words

lied
lie detector
lie detectors
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lie detector.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lie%20detector. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on lie detector

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lie detector

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All