falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

2

: absence of truth or accuracy

3

: the practice of lying : mendacity

Synonyms

• delusion
• error
• fallacy
• falsity
• hallucination
• illusion
• misbelief
• misconception
• myth
• old wives' tale
• untruth

Examples of falsehood in a Sentence

the line between truth and falsehood

the possibility of a perpetual motion machine is one falsehood that has been disproved by modern physics

Recent Examples on the Web

He's been criticized for spreading misinformation Misinformation experts say Bongino has used his platform to spread conspiracy theories and falsehoods, including about the Mueller investigation, the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump's 2020 election loss. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025

Perhaps most critically, AI hallucinations can introduce inaccuracies or falsehoods at scale, a phenomenon that can rapidly degrade trust in an era already vulnerable to misinformation. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

The exaggerations and falsehoods serve a strategic purpose. —Peter Baker, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025

Trump hit back Wednesday in a Truth Social post awash with falsehoods. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for falsehood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood

Kids Definition

falsehood

noun

false·​hood ˈfȯls-ˌhu̇d 

1

: an untrue statement : lie

2

: the habit of lying