half-truth

noun

1
: a statement that is only partially true
2
: a statement that mingles truth and falsehood with deliberate intent to deceive

Examples of half-truth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The gritty film introduces Trump (Sebastian Stan) as a fumbling brat before Cohn teaches him to bully his way to fame through aggression, half-truths, and blanket denials. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024 Mass of Contradictions Judith Thurman’s article about my aunt, Simone Weil, repeats half-truths, exaggerations, and fantasies that have circulated for decades (Books, September 9th). The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 There are outright lies, half-truths, sneaky lies, etc. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Thank you, internet, for building such a smokescreen of rumors and half-truths so that no one ever knew what was going to happen. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Aug. 2024 When the publication of the research report is accompanied by any kind of lies or half-truths that magnify the size of the move, the government sees that as market manipulation. Felix Salmon, Axios, 29 July 2024 His obituary would be filled with half-truths and lies. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024 Regardless of all the truths, half-truths and lies to be considered in the Trump case, the most telling trial issue was the defendant’s refusal to testify. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024 As my journalism career has taught me, denial and half-truths divide us. Alisyn Camerota, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'half-truth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half-truth was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near half-truth

Cite this Entry

“Half-truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half-truth. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

half-truth

noun
-ˌtrüth
: a statement that is only partly true
especially : one that deliberately mixes truth and falsehood

More from Merriam-Webster on half-truth

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