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 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 Our choice is the person who says the most outrageous, offensive and untruthful things, or the person who is subjected to those insults and lies. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • In numerous replies and posts, Grok wrote messaged that glorified Adolf Hitler, attached stereotypes to users with Jewish surnames and spread erroneous conspiracy theories about the role of Jewish people in government, commerce and media.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 10 July 2025
  • Because of erroneous information on the website for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), a story published July 6 on Page A1 incorrectly reported that former San Jose police officer George Brown’s police license with the state had been taken off suspension.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, though Republican leaders dismissed the projection as inaccurate.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
  • And finding those homes proved challenging because many records were missing or inaccurate — some handwritten on notecards dating to the early 1900s.
    Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • According to Orly Mazur, a tax specialist and associate professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, more people are likely willing to risk being dishonest when filing taxes.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • And worse yet, someone might be dishonest with you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Rumors the man lost a limb are incorrect, friends of the victim with Raw Surf posted on the business' Facebook page.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • An online commercial real estate site, LoopNet.com, still showed the theater property as up for auction Thursday, but Robinson said the listing is incorrect.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Impulsive, egocentric, and mendacious, Trump has, in the same span, set fire to the integrity of his office.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 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
Adjective
  • One of the company’s big assumptions about the phone had turned out to be wrong.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
  • However, according to the Baseball Rules Academy, the umpires got the call wrong.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the claims are false.
    Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 3 July 2025
  • The City of Odessa, Texas, also said claims of a serial killer in the area were false in a Dec. 9 Facebook post.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on untruthful

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