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as in fraudulent
marked by, based on, or done by the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value false advertising that claimed that the vegetables were organically grown when they weren't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word false different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of false are disloyal, faithless, perfidious, traitorous, and treacherous. While all these words mean "untrue to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance," false stresses the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging from fickleness to cold treachery.

betrayed by false friends

When is disloyal a more appropriate choice than false?

Although the words disloyal and false have much in common, disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness to a friend, cause, leader, or country.

disloyal to their country

When is it sensible to use faithless instead of false?

The words faithless and false can be used in similar contexts, but faithless applies to any failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of allegiance or loyalty.

faithless allies

How are the words perfidious and faithless related as synonyms of false?

Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.

a perfidious double-crosser

Where would traitorous be a reasonable alternative to false?

In some situations, the words traitorous and false are roughly equivalent. However, traitorous implies either actual treason or a serious betrayal of trust.

traitorous acts punishable by death

When can treacherous be used instead of false?

The synonyms treacherous and false are sometimes interchangeable, but treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.

a treacherous adviser

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 false Quite often in the movie, there’s so many false wins and starts and hard crashes. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2025 But others who are familiar with what the program does — and doesn’t do — suggest such claims are exaggerated or false. Christopher O’Donnell, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025 Still, there’s no way yet to disprove the idea that the cost and confusion generated by wherever tariff policies land will cause the economy to falter, undercutting already-decelerating job creation and a creaky housing market, making the recent rally seem a false dawn. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025 Uncanny valley is a term for a reason: The brain can only take so much false information that’s appears to be real. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for false
Recent Examples of Synonyms for false
Adjective
  • Those have included other deportations to third countries and the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran who had lived as a legal U.S. resident in Maryland for 14 years while working and raising a family.
    Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • Those have included other deportations to third countries and the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran who had lived in Maryland for roughly 14 years working and raising a family.
    Julie Carr Smyth, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Made of faux leather, the fabric is high-quality, water-resistant, and cruelty-free.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • The original Universal Studios Orlando mimicked a Hollywood backlot, with soundstages and faux New York streets.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Parents, experts and lawmakers have urged tech giants to do more to prevent the sale of counterfeit or illicit drugs to young people through their platforms, after multiple teens have died of overdoses from pills bought online.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
  • According to a 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills more than doubled between mid-2019 and late 2021, with states in the Western US being even more acutely impacted.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Two of them show up regularly in way-too-early 2026 mock drafts.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 May 2025
  • Say it with mock certainty and a slight smile, Callahan advises, and pause before the punchline.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, Nicolás Maduro won his reelection in a race contested as fraudulent by the opposition.
    Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 19 May 2025
  • Real examples: Six people were charged with attempting to steal $80 million through fraudulent checks tied to COVID-19 relief funds.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Michael Fassbender plays a British intelligence officer tasked with finding who leaked a top-secret software program and betrayed their country, and the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes his own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Smith made out their former collaborators to be ungrateful and traitorous, and the kids weren't given the space to question her command.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After 2024’s data, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott were critical of the census estimates, saying data collection could be inaccurate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Post-Tribune archives.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • As Justin forges his own way forward, these unnecessary stories and inaccurate assumptions will continue.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The straps are made from a sturdy synthetic leather alternative that holds its shape more than other softer materials, but the interior of the straps and insoles are still lined with a light suede that’s gentle on the skin and comfy for full-day wear.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
  • Not to mention, the fact that it’s made without parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes while being cruelty-free and vegan is just the cherry on top.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“False.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/false. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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