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 On Wednesday, the defense attacked Marquez’s credibility, questioning his motives for cooperating with the FBI and grilling him over episodes in his background that might paint him as untruthful. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • Kavanaugh stressed that the Court needs to remain active in taking cases and issuing stays in order to avoid letting erroneous injunctions remain in place for years on end.
    The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2025
  • Facing mounting pressure and a Supreme Court order, the Trump administration returned him this month to face the smuggling charges, which Abrego Garcia’s attorneys characterized as an attempt to justify his erroneous deportation.
    Ben Finley, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Along with his father and grandfather, Bambino gets to work sweeping up the stars in a cute, but wildly inaccurate, explanation for the phases of the Moon.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025
  • Board President Jodie Williams disagreed with Allman that the document was inaccurate, noting it had been prepared with guidance from the county.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Avoid generic, spammy tactics, over-automation or dishonest ploys.
    Samuel Darwin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The reasons for such concerns start with the shockingly dishonest campaign for Proposition 1A, the 2008 state ballot measure allocating $9.95 billion in bond seed money for a network of bullet trains linking Los Angeles and San Francisco.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Consider a car engine: Removing deposits and sludge (inaccurate, outdated, irrelevant and incorrect information) reduces friction, while clean oil (large language models and AI) ensures smooth performance.
    Savinay Berry, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Belief in other scientifically incorrect claims can be extremely dangerous.
    Mark Boslough, Scientific American, 25 June 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
  • The Verge reported a Tesla Model Y robotaxi briefly traveled the wrong way down a road in Austin.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • Her only 'crime' seems to be coming from the 'wrong' country.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Simultaneously, Dani Olmo could act as a false number 9 while a Robert Lewandowski believed to be on his way to Saudi Arabia in 2026 is gradually phased out.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • But an investigation resulted in an astonishing call from the other side of the world, which revealed that ‘The GPO Girl’ was, in fact, a 25-year-old Australian, who has created more than 100 false identities.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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