Definition of untruthfulnext

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 Trump, of course, was rude, untruthful, and excessively, if not quite so egregiously, long-winded in his first term, too. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026 According to a termination letter from athletic director Warde Manuel, dated Dec. 10., Moore was fired for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and providing untruthful statements during investigative interviews. Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026 King suggested the defense attorney was being untruthful. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025 Officers making contact with Hyatt noted an odor of intoxicants, staggering gait, confusion and illogical, untruthful responses to questions, according to the motion. Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for untruthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untruthful
Adjective
  • Who never bothered to delete the erroneous post.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Then, in 2005, the Texas First Court of Appeals overturned Yates’ conviction after finding the forensic psychiatrist who testified for the prosecution gave erroneous testimony that may have prejudiced the jury.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • However, he was later granted a new trial after a judge ruled that star witness Duane Deaver, a State Bureau of Investigation crime lab agent, provided misleading and false testimony, per WRAL.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The Cass County Emergency Services Board, National Weather Service and Everbridge are investigating the cause of the misleading notifications.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Ernie Dosio’s Family Breaks Their Silence According to Dosio’s ex-wife, Rinda Butler Dosio, the family initially received inconsistent and sometimes inaccurate information.
    Ryan Brennan April 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Retailers are charging people based on guesses, and those guesses are frequently inaccurate.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • If the dishonest ballot language is approved, at least county residents have reasons to hope state courts will protect them.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • But Marking alleges, according to documents obtained by The Bee, that the board and former Superintendent Lisa Allen were well aware of the district’s financial picture when the contract was approved and that trustees have been dishonest about it in the months since.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Moreover, most of the assertions made by those seeking to undermine the dark matter hypothesis are now demonstrably incorrect, ruled out by the existing data.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Administrative errors or outdated income information can also lead to incorrect withholding amounts, which may temporarily increase what's taken until corrected.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The 2026 State of the Union speech stands in contrast, a speech by a mendacious demagogue who has degraded his listeners by debauching their instincts.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation.
    Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps the owner’s unexpected absence was an indication that the rumors about my imminent demise were wrong and that things were not so certain.
    Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • After a week where everything that could have gone wrong did and the noise surrounding the club threatened to swallow the team whole, the Red Sox finally broke their four-game slide in grand fashion and got to enjoy a nice, drama-free win.
    Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The boy’s mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested days after the accident and charged with child endangerment, accessory after the fact, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
    Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • The boy’s mother, 50-year-old Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo, was later arrested and charged with felony child endangerment, being an accessory after the fact and several misdemeanors, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Untruthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untruthful. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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