falsify

[fawl-suh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

falsified, falsifying 

1. to make false or incorrect, especially so as to deceive.

   to falsify income-tax reports.

2. to alter fraudulently.

3. to represent falsely.

   He falsified the history of his family to conceal his humble origins.

4. to show or prove to be false; disprove.

   to falsify a theory.

   Synonyms: controvert, confute, refute, discredit, rebut

verb (used without object)

falsified, falsifying 

1. to make false statements.

falsify

/ ˈfɔːlsɪˌfaɪ, ˌfɔːlsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

verb

1. to make (a report, evidence, accounts, etc) false or inaccurate by alteration, esp in order to deceive

2. to prove false; disprove

Other Word Forms

• falsification noun
• falsifier noun
• falsifiable adjective
• unfalsified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of falsify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English falsifien, from Middle French falsifier, from Late Latin falsificāre; false, -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of falsify¹

C15: from Old French falsifier , from Late Latin falsificāre , from Latin falsus _false + facere to make

Synonym Study

See misrepresent.

Example Sentences

In some cases, brokers falsified addresses for people who didn’t live in Oklahoma to get them on the plan, patients said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“In my opinion, she made falsified statements not only in the police report but also in the board of rights.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fifa has accused Malaysia of falsifying citizenship documents so seven foreign-born players could play for the national team.

Read more on BBC

However, Jones falsified records in order to conceal her fraudulent activity, prosecutors said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Briones allegedly demanded a series of payments and gifts from vendors, concealed by falsified invoices, “in exchange for his agreement to carry, increase purchases of, or prominently display certain wines,” according to court filings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contradict 
• contravene 
• counterfeit 
• deceive 
• distort 
• exaggerate 
• fake 
• forge 
• misstate 
• pervert 
• tamper with