Falsehood Meaning
/ˈfɒlsˌhʊd/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe property of being false.
nounA false statement, especially an intentional one; a lie.
Sentence Examples
Time reveals truth as well as falsehood.
There has a ring of falsehood in his story.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Spreading a deliberate ____ can damage someone's reputation for years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The entire report was based on a blatant ____, designed to mislead the public about the facts.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English falshede, from false + -hede, equivalent to false + -hood.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Every such idiom is what is known as a truth function, and is characterized by the fact that the truth or falsehood of the complex statement which it generates is uniquely determined by the truth or falsehood of the several statements which it combines."
— 1976, Willard Van Orman Quine, The Ways of Paradox, and other essays, page 89:
"The fact checking, which started Sunday, stands in stark contrast to the he-said, she-said nature of most television chatfests, even though PolitiFact’s work takes place well after the facts and possible falsehoods are first uttered on TV."
— 2010 April 12, Brian Stelter, “‘This Week’ Is Adding Online Fact Checks”, in The New York Times:
"Oreskes allowed as much Wednesday, saying the word had not been banned, and adding, "I think one of the big challenges for us will be in situations where the falsehood is repeated so often that it becomes clear, the intent. And then I think it'll be fair to challenge us on the question of — the intent is so obvious that you could add it up and come to the word lie. We'll see.""
— 2017 January 26, Elizabeth Jensen, “The Pros And Cons Of NPR's Policy Of Not Calling Out 'Lies'”, in NPR:
"THE LEPROSY OF NAAMAN INFLICTED ON GEHAZI, FOR HIS FALSEHOOD AND COVETOUSNESS."
— 1817, Robert Stevenson, Scripture Portraits, volume 1, page 155:
"O mortal, eschew falsehood and flattery. Death flayeth and killeth the false one: The apostate suffereth for his falsehood and pride; he is tormented in both worlds. Renounce slander and envy of others."
— 1963, M. Arthur Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion: its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors, page 7:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Spreading a deliberate ____ can damage someone's reputation for years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The entire report was based on a blatant ____, designed to mislead the public about the facts.