Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective untruthful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of untruthful are deceitful, dishonest, and mendacious. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than untruthful?

The words deceitful and untruthful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When would dishonest be a good substitute for untruthful?

While the synonyms dishonest and untruthful are close in meaning, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

When might mendacious be a better fit than untruthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to untruthful, mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

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 untruthful However, Miranda, Assad, and Arroyo routinely failed in their obligations to cooperate with the investigation by delaying responses, refusing to provide certain information or documents, and providing inconsistent or untruthful responses. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024 Phelan, largely brushing off Covey's attacks as politically motivated and untruthful, has stuck to his reputation of having represented the district through several election cycles, running unopposed over the past several, and his work to advance border security legislation and funding last year. Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024 Our choice is the person who says the most outrageous, offensive and untruthful things, or the person who is subjected to those insults and lies. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024 This comes after Adrian Houser was moved to the bullpen after a poor start to the season, after Edwin Diaz was briefly taken out of the closer role and after and Jorge Lopez was designated for assignment for being untruthful and unremorseful in controversial postgame remarks last week. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • Still, Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador was erroneous, the government said.
    Ashley Oliver, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a chance the erroneous WinRE error might be a little persistent.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After 2024’s data, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott were critical of the census estimates, saying data collection could be inaccurate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Post-Tribune archives.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • As Justin forges his own way forward, these unnecessary stories and inaccurate assumptions will continue.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • There's also research showing that AI agents can easily be subversive, self-serving and dishonest in their actions.
    Lisa Loud, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • That’s a fact, so saying otherwise is dishonest and can lead to confusion.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • The court had to issue a letter stating the interpretation was incorrect.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • If a project fails because the decision to go ahead with the project turns out to be incorrect (which should happen frequently), that failure should not bear on the manager responsible for the project.
    Tim Koller, Time, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Impulsive, egocentric, and mendacious, Trump has, in the same span, set fire to the integrity of his office.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Her unsettling command of the character — who was equal parts sweet, vulnerable, mendacious, and menacing — was one of the highlights of the series.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The Final Destination: The NASCAR incident The opening disaster of The Final Destination is a NASCAR race gone horribly wrong.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The temperature of online discourse can often provide a false reading of a fanbase’s opinion on a manager or a team.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Big banks are not allowed to cheat their customers with false advertising and misleading promises.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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