noun
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the state of being false or untrue
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something false; a lie or deception
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of falsity
1225–75; Middle English falsete < Anglo-French < Late Latin falsitās. See false, -ity
Explanation
A falsity is either a straight-up lie or the fact that something isn’t true. If you fake cry to try and get out of trouble, the falsity of your emotions will get you busted. Falsity is a word for statements that are false in the sense of being incorrect, untrue, or even dishonest. If you tell a lie, you've told a falsity, which can also be called an untruth or falsehood. Also, falsity can mean the general state of falseness. Con men and other liars often operate in falsity. A spy must use falsity to fool people. The opposite of falsity — or falseness — is truth.
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.
She did not say that Hegseth physically abused his former wife, so that statement actually does not prove their falsity at all.
From Slate • Jan. 23, 2025
The way you couched the statement that wasn’t true would indicate the seriousness of its falsity.
From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024
The challenge of fighting the fire hose of falsity being trained on science has made some scientists cynical about the prospects of victory, Sell acknowledges.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2024
All of that falsity fades away under the bright lights, which crave that sort of manicured behavior.
From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2024
No controversies with reference to the truth or falsity of the communications should be entered into during their continuance.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
