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 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 This comes after Adrian Houser was moved to the bullpen after a poor start to the season, after Edwin Diaz was briefly taken out of the closer role and after and Jorge Lopez was designated for assignment for being untruthful and unremorseful in controversial postgame remarks last week. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024 So Trump's team really leaned into that to argue that Cohen had lied, had been untruthful on the stand. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • For generations, his grave has been marked by an erroneous headstone with a Latin cross, not a Star of David, something Eiferman learned only recently.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But Trump sees trade deficits as America getting ripped off, which is erroneous.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Companies with low-quality data could end up with AI outputs that are inaccurate and biased, which could send the company's strategy in the wrong direction, frustrate customers or worse.
    Rob Sanchez, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Companies with low-quality data could end up with AI outputs that are inaccurate and biased, which could send the company's strategy in the wrong direction, frustrate customers or worse.
    Rob Sanchez, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are some of the most affordable autos A Chinese brain chip company could soon surpass Elon Musk's Neuralink The 10 most dishonest states in America — according to Las Vegas defense lawyers Costco's Kirkland brand became a massive financial success.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Attempting to separate Robinson’s baseball career from racial animus and conflict feels intellectually dishonest.
    Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Specifically, the extension payment date for taxpayers who log into the IRS website is incorrect.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Five justices said the lawsuit was brought in the wrong venue.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the jitters still shook him, a false-start whistle blowing on his first 40-yard attempt at February’s NFL combine.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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