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 Federal authorities announced an investigation Friday of two immigration officers who appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month. Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026 Trump, of course, was rude, untruthful, and excessively, if not quite so egregiously, long-winded in his first term, too. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026 King suggested the defense attorney was being untruthful. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • Some free-speech experts at the time felt Disney had a chance to win that case, which revolved around erroneous statements made by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
  • Spoofing relies on transmitting false signals that mimic authentic satellite signals to trick signal receivers into calculating erroneous positions for aircraft and other users.
    Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Martin suggested that other Republicans are circulating equally misleading mailers, but that the party is targeting DeMaio.
    Andrew Graham May 15, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
  • The show has already done these misleading posters, including one where Homelander floats in space, watching nukes go off on Earth below.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • As a name, PCOS had several limitations, including providing an inaccurate description of the condition, which does not manifest through cysts on the ovaries.
    Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 May 2026
  • Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Musk attorney Steven Molo cited earlier testimony from OpenAI board members and former executives that Altman was dishonest and created a toxic culture of lying.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
  • The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Vanegas, who has lived at Forest View Mobile Home park for two years, stood at the culmination of a nearly yearlong effort to save the park after Blue Island officials ordered the property owners to evict residents, citing unsafe conditions, incorrect zoning, unpaid water debt and code violations.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • Similarly unimpressive, if not technically incorrect, is Sieger’s dish.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.
    Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The following seasons saw a wrong turn and regression to the point where many supporters gave up.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • For most people, this is where the cocktail goes wrong.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • On May 14, Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Newsom and onetime Becerra political adviser, pleaded guilty in federal court after accepting a plea deal to multiple charges, including committing bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the FBI.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • Dana Williamson, former top aide to Newsom, pleaded guilty in an FBI corruption probe to bank fraud, filing a false tax return and lying to the FBI.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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