LIE Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lie' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lie are equivocate , fib , palter , and prevaricate . While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty. // lied about where he had been

Q: When could 'equivocate' be used to replace 'lie'?

The words equivocate and lie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: Where would 'fib' be a reasonable alternative to 'lie'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lie , fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth. // fibbed about the price of the new suit

Q: When is it sensible to use 'palter' instead of 'lie'?

While the synonyms palter and lie are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises. // a swindler paltering with his investors

Q: How do 'prevaricate' and 'lie' relate to one another?

Prevaricate softens the bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the issue. // during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

lie 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlī

Definition of lie next

as in to deceive

to make a statement one knows to be untrue would I lie to you about that?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈlī

as in to lead

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction the train tracks lie just over that hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to be

to occupy a place or location I left the book lying on the counter

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to hide

to remain out of sight paparazzi were lying in wait outside the restaurant, a well-known celebrity hangout

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lie

3 of 3

noun

ˈlī

as in tale

a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive he wanted to deny the accusation, but he couldn't tell a lie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lie differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lie are equivocate, fib, palter, and prevaricate. While all these words mean "to tell an untruth," lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty.

lied about where he had been

When could equivocate be used to replace lie?

The words equivocate and lie are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would fib be a reasonable alternative to lie?

While in some cases nearly identical to lie, fib applies to a telling of a trivial untruth.

fibbed about the price of the new suit

When is it sensible to use palter instead of lie?

While the synonyms palter and lie are close in meaning, palter implies making unreliable statements of fact or intention or insincere promises.

a swindler paltering with his investors

How do prevaricate and lie relate to one another?

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

during the hearings the witness did his best to prevaricate

Examples 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 lie

Verb

But behind the shiny-happy image of the kids' brand lies a grittier tale, and this four-part docuseries tracks the company's rise and fall. —

Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week Us, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024 Employees at City Hall across the street often step outside to take flagpole photos for tourists, sometimes lying on the ground to get the best angle. —

Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

That potent and productive lie first emerged during the late 18th century, a byproduct of opportunism and the print revolution colliding with the material struggles of workers in unfree and expanding labor markets. —

Gunther Peck / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 But here’s the thing: the internet is also full of lies. —

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lie

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lie

Noun

The project is heavy on woozy tales of the erotic ups and emotional downs of falling hard, and the deadpan, adrift flows of Scoob and friends, like professional skirt-chaser Shaudy Kash, are like bumping Baby Smoove and Veeze with brain fog.

Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 9 Dec. 2024
But sales also told a tale of two markets, with its domestic and U.S. markets continuing to see slower sales growth, while international and especially Asia have provided new sales growth channels.

Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024