plural truths ˈtrüt͟hz How to pronounce truth (audio) ˈtrüths How to pronounce truth (audio)
1
a(1)
: the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality
actions guided by truth
also : the real facts about something
need to face the truth
You think I don't care, but nothing could be further from the truth. [=that is absolutely not true]
I said I liked it, but truth be told/known [=really, honestly], it was awful.
(2)
: the state of being the case : fact
the truth of the matter
(3)
often Truth : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
A movie can depart from the strict truth and capture a broader, deeper truthAdrian J. Rivera
b(1)
: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true
truths of thermodynamics
a basic/fundamental/eternal/universal truth of human nature
(2)
: truism
c
: the body of true statements and propositions
commitment to scientific truth
2
a
: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
There's no truth in anything he says.
Her story contains a grain/kernel of truth.
I doubt the truth of their accusations.
b
chiefly British : true sense 2
Her propeller shaft was a trifle out of truthC. S. Forester
c
: fidelity to an original or to a standard
The actor struggled to find the truth of the character.
3
a
: sincerity in action, character, and utterance
… the absolute truth of his speech and the rectitude of his behavior.Ralph Waldo Emerson
see also live one's truth
b
archaic : fidelity, constancy
4
Truth Christian Science : god
Phrases
in truth
: in accordance with fact : actually

Examples of truth in a Sentence

At some point you have to face the simple truth that we failed. Their explanation was simpler but came closer to the truth. The article explains the truth about global warming. A reporter soon discovered the truth. Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Her story contains a grain of truth but also lots of exaggeration.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Jesús, from a sense of honesty, truth, authenticity and Luis has that and incredible actor’s technique. John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 These women were redefining what constitutes beauty, femininity and resilience by fearlessly displaying the raw, unfiltered truth of bodies changed by illness and treatment. Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025 In the process, Brooks observes, story has eclipsed rational argument as the dominant purveyor of social, political, and historical truths. Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025 The difficult truth is that hurricanes are complex beasts, inherently difficult to boil down into a single number. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trewthe, from Old English trēowth fidelity; akin to Old English trēowe faithful — more at true entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of truth was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Truth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truth. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

truth

noun
plural truths ˈtrüt͟hz How to pronounce truth (audio) ˈtrüths How to pronounce truth (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being true
2
: a true or accepted statement
3
: the body of real events or facts
4
: agreement with fact or reality

Biographical Definition

Truth

biographical name

Sojourner circa 1797–1883 American evangelist and reformer

More from Merriam-Webster on truth

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