fib 1 of 3

noun

ˈfib How to pronounce fib (audio)
Definition of fibnext
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive the claim that everyday living would be impossible without at least a few innocent fibs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fib

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to lie
to make a statement one knows to be untrue fibbed and said that he had remembered to water her plants while she was away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fib

3 of 3

verb (2)

British
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the two drunken pub crawlers proceeded to fib each other senseless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fib differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fib are equivocate, lie, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When might equivocate be a better fit than fib?

The synonyms equivocate and fib are sometimes interchangeable, but equivocate implies using words having more than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend another.

equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead her inquisitors

When is lie a more appropriate choice than fib?

While the synonyms lie and fib are close in meaning, lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

Where would palter be a reasonable alternative to fib?

The words palter and fib are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How are the words prevaricate and lie related as synonyms of fib?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue.

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

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 fib
Noun
Rather than going hard on law stuff or culture stuff, this episode relies a lot on Matty using her powers of empathy and her facility with fibs to crack the mystery underlying this case. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024 These fibs are not uncommon even among professional chefs, celebrity chef Tom Kerridge told the news agency SWNS. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
So, feel free to fib your way through this part. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024 So, feel free to fib your way through this part. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fib
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fib
  1. lie
  2. tale
  3. story
Noun
  • Over the course of the game, hosted by the charming Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick), the cash changed hands a few times, lies were told, innocent people were voted out, and tears were shed.
    — Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • An outside investigation tied a Union County elected official to a controversial social media account accused of spreading lies.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of lie
Noun
  • Historians recently unveiled a rare 13th-century document depicting the tales of King Arthur and Merlin – and its survival is considered a miracle.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That said, the tale of how a crude blue cartoon bear ran for office and actually did well despite common sense became far more relevant once Donald Trump began campaigning for the presidency.
    — Steve Greene, IndieWire, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of tale
Noun
  • This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Our goal this episode was ending certain stories in climactic ways, yet building a platform for the show to leap off.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of story

Browse Nearby Words

fiats
fib
fibbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fib.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fib. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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