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 According to a termination letter from athletic director Warde Manuel, dated Dec. 10., Moore was fired for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and providing untruthful statements during investigative interviews. Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026 The search led her to a nearby house — and into a complicated situation involving several untruthful children and their parents. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025 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
  • When the news breaks of faraway civilian casualties — an erroneous air strike on a school that relied on outdated intelligence, for example — the mind takes refuge in abstractions and statistics.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
  • But those who in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries made erroneous predictions of imminent mass starvation erred by underestimating the world‑changing potential of grasses.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Such allegations are widespread but misleading.
    William Proctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Hartsuch, a proponent of using ivermectin to treat COVID-19, alleges that in December 2021, Kent Nebel, then the executive director of the Board of Medicine, indicated that 17 Iowa doctors had complaints filed against them for spreading false or misleading information about COVID-19.
    Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The rollout, however, was quickly met with user complaints of inaccurate age estimations and workarounds found by users hoping to trick the system.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Testing failure Another error highlighted in the report involved recording inaccurate test results in September 2024 for a liver that tested positive for a common infection that can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant patients.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.
    Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The election took place amid a surge in violent crime and corruption that has fueled widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.
    Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • County officials also said Freidenrich’s management of the treasurer’s office led to delays in issuing refunds to schools, filing tax liens and cashing property tax checks, which resulted in incorrect late fees and penalties for taxpayers.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Any assertion that city single-family homeowners are being double taxed would be incorrect.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 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
  • Now 43-38, Charlotte has lost ground this week with difficult losses to Boston and Detroit that followed the same blueprint, as the Hornets fell off a cliff in the fourth quarter at the wrong time.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Overfertilizing Fertilizing too much or at the wrong time could potentially damage plant roots, leading to leaf damage and eventual drop.
    Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For me, the possible false note lay not in Aramayo’s performance but in the script.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Local police too, have stated that false posts circulating in WhatsApp groups, including claims of worker deaths and exaggerated reports of violence and arrests, have contributed to the escalation of unrest.
    Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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