falser; falsest
1
: not genuine
false documents
false teeth
2
a
: intentionally untrue
false testimony
b
: adjusted or made so as to deceive
false scales
a trunk with a false bottom
c
: intended or tending to mislead
a false promise
3
: not true
false concepts
4
a
: not faithful or loyal : treacherous
a false friend
b
: lacking naturalness or sincerity
false sympathy
5
a
: not essential or permanent
—used of parts of a structure that are temporary or supplemental
b
: fitting over a main part to strengthen it, to protect it, or to disguise its appearance
a false ceiling
6
: inaccurate in pitch
a false note
7
a
: based on mistaken ideas
false pride
b
: inconsistent with the facts
a false position
a false sense of security
8
: threateningly sudden or deceptive
don't make any false moves
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
: in a false or faithless manner : treacherously
his friends played him false
Synonyms
Examples of false in a Sentence
Adjective
Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.
He registered at the hotel under a false name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Oz is the Penguin now — like everyone in Batman’s Rogues Gallery, a caricature of his own trauma, drawn to criminal means of false liberation.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for false 
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Adjective
Bear in mind that his campaign was replete with false claims — about immigration, jobs, inflation, crime and more.
—Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Oz is the Penguin now — like everyone in Batman’s Rogues Gallery, a caricature of his own trauma, drawn to criminal means of false liberation.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Mitchell, of Canton, won the 2019 State Open 100-meter title after Miller false-started and was disqualified.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for false
Dictionary Entries Near false
Cite this Entry
“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
false
adjective
falser; falsest
1
: not corresponding to truth or reality
a test for HIV which gave false results
2
: artificially made
false teeth
3
: of a kind related to or resembling another kind that is usually designated by the unqualified vernacular
false oats
falsely
adverb
falseness
noun
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