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Definitions

false

[fawls] / fɔls /
ADJECTIVE
wrong, made up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bogus deceitful dishonest distorted erroneous fake fanciful faulty fictitious fraudulent improper inaccurate incorrect invalid misleading mistaken phony specious spurious unfounded unreal untrue untruthful
WEAK
apocryphal beguiling casuistic concocted contrary to fact cooked-up counterfactual deceiving delusive ersatz fallacious fishy illusive imaginary inexact lying mendacious misrepresentative off the mark sham sophistical trumped-up unsound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accurate authentic correct fair faithful frank genuine honest moral open proven real right sincere sound true trustworthy truthful valid
WEAK
actual factual just known precise reliable straight substantiated
ADJECTIVE
dishonest, hypocritical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceitful deceptive malicious misleading
WEAK
apostate base beguiling canting corrupt crooked deceiving deluding delusive devious dishonorable disloyal double-dealing duplicitous faithless falsehearted forsworn foul lying malevolent mean mythomaniac perfidious perjured rascally recreant renegade scoundrelly traitorous treacherous treasonable two-faced underhanded unfaithful unscrupulous untrustworthy venal villainous wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
frank honest open truthful upright
WEAK
accurate actual correct factual genuine just known precise real reliable right straight substantiated true valid
ADJECTIVE
fake, counterfeit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bogus contrived deceptive fabricated forged hollow phony spurious unreal wrong
WEAK
adulterated alloyed artificial assumed bent brummagem bum colored copied crock disguised ersatz factitious feigned fishy framed imitation made-up make believe manufactured meretricious mock ostensible pretended pseudo seeming shady sham simulated snide so-called substitute synthetic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
authentic frank genuine honest real sincere truthful
WEAK
accurate actual correct factual just known precise reliable right straight substantiated true valid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After applying strict checks to eliminate false positives, they narrowed the list to 130 planets and planet candidates.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

According to Italian news agency Ansa, he was living at the property under a false name.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Prosecutors are reportedly probing whether beneficiaries of agriculture subsidies had made false claims.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Bolton added: "We were accused of trying to enter the country on false passports."

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“And it isn’t logical to say the truth and do a lie! What about Annaliese’s false papers—and that maid’s uniform on Katrien?”

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.