falsehood

1. Falsehood, fib, lie, untruth refer to something untrue or incorrect. A falsehood is a statement that distorts or suppresses the truth, in order to deceive: to tell a falsehood about one's ancestry in order to gain acceptance. A fib denotes a trivial falsehood, and is often used to characterize that which is not strictly true: a polite fib. A lie is a vicious falsehood: to tell a lie about one's neighbor. An untruth is an incorrect statement, either intentionally misleading (less harsh, however, than falsehood or lie) or arising from misunderstanding or ignorance: I'm afraid you are telling an untruth.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for falsehood

But later that day, NBC, CBS, and the Los Angeles Times all reported the same “falsehood,” also citing law-enforcement sources.
Boston Marathon Bombing Media Errors Pile Up, as Does the Outrage|Michael Moynihan|April 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Its central rationale was conceived in a falsehood, that Romney the financial manipulator at Bain was a prolific job creator.
Why Believe Romney Now, After His Lies on Medicare, Bain & Taxes?|Robert Shrum|August 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In Pakistan, truth or falsehood are categories that don't mean what they do elsewhere on earth.
Pakistan's Judicial Coup|David Frum|June 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It has responded by creating its own, alternative reality, ideologically consistent but full of falsehood.
The Democrats' Birther Book Boon|Michelle Goldberg|April 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

It is a struggle between Truth and Falsehood, until God Almighty inherits the earth and those who live in it.
How to Win the War on Terror|Reza Aslan|April 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The fellow actually went away simpering, and kissing his hand to me, with a falsehood on his lips!
The Newcomes|William Makepeace Thackeray
Mr. Hopkins thought that he had no means of escape but by boldly persisting in falsehood.
The Parent's Assistant|Maria Edgeworth
The falsehood was serious; the editorial rebuke was serious.
A Miscellany of Men|G. K. Chesterton
Pray say it, said Sartines who expected to hear a falsehood.
The Mesmerist's Victim|Alexandre Dumas
The cunning mixture of truth and falsehood in what he had been saying lent it somehow an impression of extraordinary sincerity.
Shadows of Flames|Amelie Rives

British Dictionary definitions for falsehood

falsehood

/ (ˈfɔːlsˌhʊd) /

noun

the quality of being untrue

an untrue statement; lie

the act of deceiving or lying

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012