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 What is more untruthful: A thing written down, or a sustained deception of the heart? Nicolette Polek, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024 On Wednesday, the defense attacked Marquez’s credibility, questioning his motives for cooperating with the FBI and grilling him over episodes in his background that might paint him as untruthful. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2024 However, Miranda, Assad, and Arroyo routinely failed in their obligations to cooperate with the investigation by delaying responses, refusing to provide certain information or documents, and providing inconsistent or untruthful responses. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024 Phelan, largely brushing off Covey's attacks as politically motivated and untruthful, has stuck to his reputation of having represented the district through several election cycles, running unopposed over the past several, and his work to advance border security legislation and funding last year. Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 20 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
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 two have had to step carefully during their tenure together, with McAfee once criticizing a top ESPN executive on air, and allowing one guest, Aaron Rodgers, to make inaccurate claims about coronavirus vaccines.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 July 2025
  • However, according to Rider-Stokes, this finding could be based on inaccurate estimates, making a conclusive assessment unlikely.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
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
  • One company statement referenced the video and stories related to it by pointing out incorrect information.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 July 2025
  • Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • At Comedy Central, Colbert rose to prominence playing a slightly exaggerated version of Bill O’Reilly and other unapologetically mendacious Fox News pundits from the George W. Bush years.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
  • The true story reveals both how freedom of speech first came to be conceived of as a mechanism for truth, an antidote to falsehood, and the foundation of all liberty—and that, ironically, this new and powerful theory was itself a deliberately mendacious fiction.
    Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, Putignano says there’s nothing wrong with expecting a teen to clean their room, just as your parents expected of you.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 July 2025
  • There is nothing wrong with having adapted in this way.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 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
  • In November 2009, Richard pleaded guilty to the latter charge, while Mayumi pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false reporting to authorities, per CNN.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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