Definition

1. Noun:
   • A false statement; a lie: An untrue statement made with the intention to deceive or mislead.
   • The quality of being untrue; lack of conformity to truth or fact: The state or character of being false.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (A false statement):
  • He was accused of spreading falsehoods about his opponent.
  • The article was full of factual errors and outright falsehoods.
• Noun (The quality of being false):
  • The court determined the falsehood of his testimony.
  • The advertisement was condemned for its deliberate falsehood.

Advanced Usage

• "To give the lie to a falsehood": To prove that something is untrue.
  • The new evidence gave the lie to the long-held falsehood.
• "A tissue of falsehoods": A series of interconnected lies.
  • His entire alibi was a tissue of falsehoods.

Variants and Related Words

• False (adj): Not true, correct, or genuine.
  • He gave a false name to the police.
• Falsify (v): To alter (information, a document, etc.) so as to mislead.
  • They attempted to falsify the financial records.
• Falsity (n): The fact of being untrue, incorrect, or insincere. (Often used interchangeably with the second meaning of "falsehood").
  • The falsity of the claim was obvious.

Synonyms

• Lie: A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive.
• Untruth: A statement that is not true.
• Fabrication: A statement or story invented, often to deceive.
• Deceit: The action or practice of deceiving someone.

Antonyms

• Truth: That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
• Veracity: Conformity to facts; accuracy.
• Fact: A thing that is known or proved to be true.

Noun

1. the act of rendering something false as by fraudulent changes (of documents or measures etc.) or counterfeiting
2. a false statement