1
as in delusion
a false idea or belief
their argument rests on a fundamental untruth which has long been discredited
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
the Web site is rife with untruths and misleading information
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deception
the quality or state of being false
there is an element of untruth in all forms of art: works of art provide only a semblance of reality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of untruth
His newest book makes such fact-finding a key theme, demonstrating the instability of a political system grounded in untruth—and investigating how populist leaders can wield that for their own ends.
—
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Similar to how post-truth politics attacks the truth not through obfuscation but, by disseminating provable untruths, scorning the notion of a shareable, objectifiable reality, post-meaning makes a virtue of its emptiness.
—Literary Hub, 2 Dec. 2025
Trump is just straight-up doling out untruths – and blaming Biden.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
An illusion endlessly repeated despite its demonstrable untruth ceases to be an illusion and becomes a lie; a lie endlessly retold can become second nature, so ingrained and instinctive as to detach from its origins and morph into self-delusion.
—Hussein Agha, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untruth
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Similar to how post-truth politics attacks the truth not through obfuscation but, by disseminating provable untruths, scorning the notion of a shareable, objectifiable reality, post-meaning makes a virtue of its emptiness.
—Literary Hub, 2 Dec. 2025
Trump is just straight-up doling out untruths – and blaming Biden.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
An illusion endlessly repeated despite its demonstrable untruth ceases to be an illusion and becomes a lie; a lie endlessly retold can become second nature, so ingrained and instinctive as to detach from its origins and morph into self-delusion.
—Hussein Agha, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untruth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruth
Noun
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Lying in this crypt is Nathan Lane’s Willy Loman, a tragic humbug, his delusions contradicted by the ruins around him.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
His delusion is central to why this revival is so potent.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In an interview with The Times, Sid confessed that the whole thing was a lie concocted by a publicist in the 1940s.—
Anabel Sosa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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And from that data, the airliner learned that 97 percent of fliers said the lie-flat bed was their reason for flying in Delta One.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However genuine their connection, their paths were forged in deception and self-loathing.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Their commitment to the deception has no limit.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Originality is a comforting myth.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Common myths, such as opening windows or hiding in a southwest corner, are false and can increase danger.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His plays — rife with exploration of deep humanity and emotion — provide not just a framework for hanging many different worlds upon his words, but also the kind of complex characters and twisted tales that actors and filmmakers crave, whether tragedy, romance or comedy.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The affable comedian and improv star is known for a self-deprecating brand of humor that leans into storytelling, audience interaction and behind-the-scenes tales from the long-running hit show.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Of course, the retort is that this would be irritating and exasperating to be continually deluged with alerts about AI deceptiveness.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Beyond the deceptiveness of the narrow material view, spiritual light and hope are always present to be found and felt.—
Sue Brightman,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And in the enfacement illusion, people can momentarily experience another face as their own.—
Utkarsh Gupta,
Scientific American,
15 Apr. 2026
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So there was the illusion of security in the Gulf.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Her supporters, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, a family friend, decried her alleged detainment, and her story sparked outcry and protests.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untruth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruth. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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