half-truth
Americannoun
plural
half-truths-
a statement that is only partly true, especially one intended to deceive, evade blame, or the like.
-
a statement that fails to divulge the whole truth.
noun
Other Word Forms
- half-true adjective
Etymology
Origin of half-truth
First recorded in 1650–60
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.
People have to also be able to evaluate those words, spotting the half-truths, hyperbole, ambiguities, inaccuracies, and values behind those words — and those skills go back to social studies.
From Salon
In the letter addressed to the Health Secretary Jeremy Miles, The British Dental Association Cymru Wales accused the Welsh government of pedalling "half-truths" about their messaging and statistics.
From BBC
Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State, Al Schmidt, said “spreading videos and other information that lack context and sharing social posts with half-truths and even outright lies is harmful to our representative democracy”.
From BBC
"In short, you say truths, outright lies and half-truths in the middle, with an equal amount of enthusiasm and sincerity at all times," said Ms Riesman.
From BBC
Initial sessions tend to be colored by weeping, hesitancy and half-truths as the clinician and client get a feel for each other.
From Salon
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.
