Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mendacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mendacious are deceitful, dishonest, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," 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

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than mendacious?

The words deceitful and mendacious 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 might dishonest be a better fit than mendacious?

In some situations, the words dishonest and mendacious are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

In what contexts can untruthful take the place of mendacious?

The meanings of untruthful and mendacious largely overlap; however, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

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 mendacious The candidate vying for a second White House stint — in the midst of his third overall campaign — has accumulated a long list of acts who do not want to be associated with his divisive, frequently mendacious rhetoric. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2024 Trump’s contrived veneer is being ripped away to reveal an immoral, mendacious, transactional opportunist, without a shred of loyalty to anyone or anything but himself. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 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 Two stand out: his profile and endorsement, in 2000, of Ralph Nader’s independent presidential campaign, and his early opposition to George W. Bush’s disastrous and mendacious invasion of Iraq. Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for mendacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mendacious
Adjective
  • McClure is also accused of attempting to change his patient care reports in order to cover up his actions and being dishonest during interviews with his supervisors about the incident.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 11 July 2025
  • Raynor was accused of having been dishonest about facts, including the way the author and her husband, Moth Winn — whose real names are allegedly Sally and Tim Walker — found themselves without a home.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The latest erroneous metaphor is that our brains are like AI systems.
    Iddo Gefen, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
  • The amount a state owes would be based on a formula set by the percentage of erroneous payments reported each year.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The deficient vice of integrity is being fake, untruthful, inconsistent, unprincipled, and manipulative.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
  • The document discovery in those cases revealed that France had been untruthful during the NFLPA arbitration process.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • He’s hosted several world leaders for explosive Oval Office sit downs, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who Trump argued with over false claims that white farmers in the country were victims of a genocide, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Mayumi pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of false reporting to authorities, while Richard did the same for a felony count of trying to influence a public servant, according to NPR.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 15 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Mendacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mendacious. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mendacious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!