false
1 of 2adjective
ˈfȯls 
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
false
2 of 2adverb
: in a false or faithless manner : treacherously
his friends played him false
Synonyms
Adjective
- erroneous
- inaccurate
- incorrect
- inexact
- invalid
- off
- unsound
- untrue
- untruthful
- wrong
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2022 All but two - incumbent senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Marco Rubio of Florida - have publicly embraced Trump’s false claims about 2020, according to a Post analysis. Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022 Republican leaders, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have tweeted false claims about how many workers the agency intends to hire. Fatima Hussein, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 His remarks, however, come shortly after Bolduc won the Republican nomination this week -- and after months of campaigning on false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 Their primary was marred by false election denial claims by Perdue that echoed Trump in baselessly alleging that Kemp was responsible for Trump's 2020 loss in the state. Rick Klein, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2022 Republican leaders, including House minority leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have tweeted false claims about how many workers the agency intends to hire. Fatima Hussein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Some of the false claims were filed using the names of dockworkers’ family members, including spouses and children. Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Researchers found that TikTok’s own search tool seems designed to steer users to false claims in some cases. David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2021 With time winding down in a scoreless game, the Gladiators made the most of a penalty corner when two of the four Hereford defenders false-started, crossing the goal line before the ball was put in play. Rich Scherr, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2021 Browns offensive linemen false-started three times in the game — once by Wyatt Teller and twice by Joel Bitonio — and Stefanski vowed to correct it. cleveland, 4 Jan. 2021 The 49ers’ chances to keep the game close fizzled late when a touchdown was overturned, and Nick Mullens false-started on a sneak at the goal line and then threw an interception. Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, 7 Dec. 2020 The drive started with left tackle Charles Leno false-starting. Star Tribune, 10 Nov. 2020 Alabama coach Nick Saban said Saturday the school conducted 240 tests of its football players and none came positive after his potentially false-positive COVID-19 test Wednesday. Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 17 Oct. 2020 Meanwhile, forcing axioms, which deem the continuum hypothesis false by adding a new size of infinity, would also extend the frontiers of mathematics in other directions. Quanta Magazine, 26 Nov. 2013 Any assertion otherwise on the latter front rings false given that, as acting commissioner, Selig had to have known about the FBI’s Operation Equine, an early ’90s investigation into PED distribution that included McGwire and Canseco. Jay Jaffe, SI.com, 13 Dec. 2017 See More
Adjective
Gableman and Michels are backed by former President Donald Trump and have promoted Trump's false claims about widespread voter fraud and irregularities manipulating the outcome of the 2020 election. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2022 All but two - incumbent senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Marco Rubio of Florida - have publicly embraced Trump’s false claims about 2020, according to a Post analysis. Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022 Republican leaders, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have tweeted false claims about how many workers the agency intends to hire. Fatima Hussein, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 His remarks, however, come shortly after Bolduc won the Republican nomination this week -- and after months of campaigning on false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 Their primary was marred by false election denial claims by Perdue that echoed Trump in baselessly alleging that Kemp was responsible for Trump's 2020 loss in the state. Rick Klein, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2022 Republican leaders, including House minority leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have tweeted false claims about how many workers the agency intends to hire. Fatima Hussein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 Some of the false claims were filed using the names of dockworkers’ family members, including spouses and children. Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Researchers found that TikTok’s own search tool seems designed to steer users to false claims in some cases. David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Adverb
There’s false-toothed Sarah Paulson as Linda Tripp in Impeachment: American Crime Story. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2021 With time winding down in a scoreless game, the Gladiators made the most of a penalty corner when two of the four Hereford defenders false-started, crossing the goal line before the ball was put in play. Rich Scherr, baltimoresun.com, 13 Nov. 2021 Browns offensive linemen false-started three times in the game — once by Wyatt Teller and twice by Joel Bitonio — and Stefanski vowed to correct it. cleveland, 4 Jan. 2021 The 49ers’ chances to keep the game close fizzled late when a touchdown was overturned, and Nick Mullens false-started on a sneak at the goal line and then threw an interception. Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, 7 Dec. 2020 The drive started with left tackle Charles Leno false-starting. Star Tribune, 10 Nov. 2020 Alabama coach Nick Saban said Saturday the school conducted 240 tests of its football players and none came positive after his potentially false-positive COVID-19 test Wednesday. Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 17 Oct. 2020 Meanwhile, forcing axioms, which deem the continuum hypothesis false by adding a new size of infinity, would also extend the frontiers of mathematics in other directions. Quanta Magazine, 26 Nov. 2013 Any assertion otherwise on the latter front rings false given that, as acting commissioner, Selig had to have known about the FBI’s Operation Equine, an early ’90s investigation into PED distribution that included McGwire and Canseco. Jay Jaffe, SI.com, 13 Dec. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Adverb
Middle English fals, faus, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin falsus, from past participle of fallere to deceive
First Known Use
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Adverb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing false
Kids Definition
false 1 of 2
adjective
ˈfȯls
falser; falsest
1
: not true, genuine, or honest
false testimony
false documents
false teeth
2
: not faithful or loyal
false friends
3
: not based on facts or sound judgment
a false feeling of security
4
: careless sense 2
One false step, and he could slip … Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee
Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Mageefalse
2 of 2adverb
: in a dishonest or misleading manner
He spoke false.
Medical Definition
false
adjective
ˈfȯls
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
Legal Definition
false
adjective
1
: not genuine, authentic, or legitimate compare counterfeit
2
a
: not true or correct
especially : intentionally or knowingly untrue or incorrect
injured by false accusations
b
: intended to mislead or deceive : deceptive, misleading compare fraudulent
false
adjective
1
as in erroneous
not being in agreement with what is true early reports about the explosion contained much false information Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- erroneous
- inaccurate
- incorrect
- wrong
- misleading
- untrue
- untruthful
- distorted
- invalid
- inexact
- off base
- deceptive
- fraudulent
- unsound
- fictitious
- specious
- illusory
- delusive
- spurious
- off
- fallacious
- counterfactual
- delusory
- deceitful
- lying
- mendacious
- dishonest
- unproven
- unconfirmed
- fabricated
- askew
- made-up
- awry
- invented
- untested
- trumped-up
- amiss
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- true
- correct
- accurate
- valid
- proper
- factual
- right
- exact
- sound
- precise
- confirmed
- demonstrated
- proven
- veracious
- tested
- errorless
- perfect
- established
- flawless
- faultless
- impeccable
- letter-perfect
2
as in faux
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials George Washington's false teeth were not made of wood but of elephant ivory and cow's teeth Synonyms & Similar Words
- faux
- synthetic
- fake
- simulated
- dummy
- artificial
- imitation
- bogus
- imitative
- mock
- factitious
- manufactured
- ersatz
- counterfeit
- substitute
- deceptive
- pretend
- sham
- mimic
- designer
- misleading
- manipulated
- process
- man-made
- forged
- fabricated
- pseudo
- fraudulent
- unauthentic
- engineered
- doctored
- concocted
- adulterated
- cultured
- spurious
- phoney
- phony
- fudged
- juggled
- feigned
- pinchbeck
- affected
- tampered (with)
- brummagem
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- real
- true
- genuine
- natural
- legitimate
- authentic
- valuable
- bona fide
- pure
- quality
- premium
- unadulterated
3
as in counterfeit
being such in appearance only and made or manufactured with the intention of committing fraud arrested for selling false ID cards to teenagers Synonyms & Similar Words
- counterfeit
- fake
- forged
- bogus
- spurious
- phony
- inauthentic
- imitation
- misleading
- ornamental
- artificial
- deceptive
- manufactured
- sham
- phoney
- unauthentic
- synthetic
- snide
- mock
- factitious
- fabricated
- substitute
- simulated
- dummy
- queer
- delusive
- mimic
- cultured
- nonfunctioning
- man-made
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- real
- genuine
- authentic
- true
- bona fide
- natural
- actual
- unfaked
- valid
4
as in fake
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality so much of the sympathy that the widow received was false and hypocritical, since it came from people who never liked her husband in the first place Synonyms & Similar Words
- fake
- mock
- unnatural
- strained
- pseudo
- exaggerated
- affected
- artificial
- bogus
- mechanical
- spurious
- assumed
- simulated
- pretended
- forced
- phony
- factitious
- contrived
- plastic
- feigned
- sham
- theatrical
- phoney
- unreal
- cute
- hollow
- empty
- theatric
- automatic
- calculated
- unrealistic
- put-on
- fabricated
- pat
- manufactured
- unauthentic
- hypocritical
- formal
- insincere
- deliberate
- hokey
- concocted
- canned
- labored
- stiff
- melodramatic
- facile
- conscious
- unctuous
- histrionic
- conventional
- overdone
- wooden
- cultivated
- mealy
- rigid
- simpering
- cutesy
- impersonal
- stylized
- mincing
- two-faced
- studied
- mealymouthed
- artful
- premeditated
- inflexible
- overacted
- genteel
- overrefined
- double-dealing
- goody-goody
- left-handed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- true
- genuine
- real
- natural
- spontaneous
- unaffected
- realistic
- authentic
- artless
- right
- bona fide
- sincere
- unfeigned
- honest
- easy
- unforced
- uncontrived
- smooth
- unconscious
- effortless
- instinctive
- ingenuous
- unpretending
- extemporaneous
- impromptu
- impulsive
- unstudied
- unrehearsed
- unprompted
5
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
- fraudulent
- deceptive
- dishonest
- misleading
- deceitful
- delusive
- specious
- defrauding
- delusory
- fallacious
- deceiving
- duplicitous
- deluding
- spurious
- crooked
- beguiling
- double-dealing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truthful
- true
- honest
- legitimate
- valid
- aboveboard
6
as in traitorous
not true in one's allegiance to someone or something false friends who deserted the prizefighter when all his money was gone Synonyms & Similar Words
- traitorous
- unreliable
- untrue
- treacherous
- perfidious
- faithless
- disloyal
- unfaithful
- inconstant
- irresponsible
- recreant
- fickle
- untrustworthy
- hesitant
- uncertain
- faltering
- undependable
- wavering
- dubious
- vacillating
- trustless
- dispassionate
- irresolute
- uninterested
- apathetic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- true
- constant
- faithful
- reliable
- steady
- solid
- responsible
- loyal
- steadfast
- fast
- devout
- staunch
- trustworthy
- dependable
- dedicated
- devoted
- dutiful
- stanch
- trusty
- tried
- unhesitating
- unfaltering
- confirmed
- intent
- trustable
- down-the-line
- resolute
- determined
- unwavering
- tried-and-true
- enthusiastic
- inveterate
- fervent
- passionate
- impassioned
- sworn
- ardent
- fervid
- avid
- dyed-in-the-wool
7
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive it turned out that the con man had made false promises of marriage to a dozen women Synonyms & Similar Words
- misleading
- deceptive
- incorrect
- inaccurate
- fraudulent
- delusive
- specious
- deceitful
- fallacious
- ambiguous
- deceiving
- deluding
- delusory
- subtle
- beguiling
- crooked
- fake
- lying
- wrong
- counterfeit
- dishonest
- artificial
- forged
- treacherous
- cunning
- bogus
- bewildering
- slick
- puzzling
- trick
- shady
- spurious
- untruthful
- perplexing
- distracting
- mendacious
- artful
- wily
- tricky
- phony
- sneaky
- untrustworthy
- confounding
- shifty
- subtile
- duplicitous
- faithless
- sly
- crafty
- sneaking
- foxy
- insidious
- perfidious
- devious
- dissembling
- feigned
- underhanded
- knavish
- sham
- trickish
- defrauding
- hypocritical
- fast
- insincere
- evasive
- underhand
- guileful
- phoney
- equivocal
- jive
- ambidextrous
- circuitous
- backhanded
- double-dealing
- two-faced
- left-handed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nondeceptive
- straightforward
- direct
- plain
- forthright
- straight
- open
- candid
- frank
- outspoken
- aboveboard
- explanatory
- illuminating
- truthful
- openhearted
- plainspoken
- revealing
- clarifying
- foursquare
- revelatory
- honest
- trustworthy
- free-spoken
- elucidative
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
Perfidious adds to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity or reliability.
a perfidious double-crosser
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
The synonyms treacherous and false are sometimes interchangeable, but treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.
a treacherous adviser