Definition of untruthfulnext

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 Officers making contact with Hyatt noted an odor of intoxicants, staggering gait, confusion and illogical, untruthful responses to questions, according to the motion. Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2025 The deficient vice of integrity is being fake, untruthful, inconsistent, unprincipled, and manipulative. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025 During the trial, prosecutors showed videos of the multiple interviews Troconis had with law enforcement and accused her of being untruthful about Farber Dulos’ disappearance. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025 President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement on June 1 was terribly misguided, and his justification for doing so was misleading and untruthful. Robert N. Stavins, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2017 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • How to opt out Incorporating AI directly into Gmail could pose risks for Google, given that large language models can sometimes present erroneous or misleading information.
    Julia Doyle, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The complaint goes on to state that immediately after the erroneous payment was recognized, the governor’s office attempted to reverse the direct deposits, but could not do so due to Cook having insufficient funds in his accounts.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.
    Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
  • For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected claims that the officer acted in self-defense, saying after viewing the video that the federal account was inaccurate, as previously noted by The Center Square.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
  • That demeaning statement has proven both accurate and inaccurate, depending on the president’s relationship with the vice president, their skill set, experience, and political ambition.
    Myra Adams, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • By contrast, Farmer’s book editor Davis is charming and ebullient, but also vain, dishonest, overtly macho and misogynistic.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Within hours lies were flowing, predictably from a lawless and untrustworthy president and his dishonest DHS secretary, who blamed the victim in direct contradiction of video evidence.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Duplicate collections, wrong dates, incorrect creditor names or accounts listed as unpaid when they were settled are all valid reasons to file a dispute.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The problem of incorrect citations and false legal statements, which attorneys suspect were written by AI tools, appears to be growing, said Felix De La Torre, general counsel for PERB.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In the dry California hills, an intentional community tries to build a pyre for one of its own, and, in the complex and mendacious aftermath, may end up sort of burning down the nation-state.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
  • To claim the opposite rings hollow at best, if not mendacious.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The candidacy challenge contends that Wilcox used the wrong form to file for office in December and left off information that was required.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
  • An Amazon driver accompanied by her 16-year-old son came under fire after accidentally stopping at the wrong house in rural North Carolina, according to investigators.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Plants that provide winter interest, including sedums, goldenrod, blue false indigo, and ornamental grasses.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Today’s teenagers can produce a TikTok video in minutes, but how many of them will learn to analyze the president’s false claim that Tylenol causes autism?
    Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on untruthful

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!