HALF-TRUTHS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

half-truths

noun

plural of half-truth

as in lies

a statement that is only partly true and that is intended to deceive people I'm tired of all these half-truths—I want to know the real story.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of half-truths Years of deception, half-truths, and emotional compromises finally surface, forcing Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette to confront not just the men in their lives, but one another. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 Her backstory is littered with half-truths and deceptions, including a lie that her mentally disabled younger sister was murdered after being kidnapped. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026 When Juliette gets an audience with the Algorithm, the Mayor tells the voice some half-truths about why someone needs to go to Silo 17 immediately. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 The Soviet Union embraced Lenin’s concept of agitation—the use of emotional slogans and half-truths to influence the masses. — Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 Don’t settle for half-truths; seek meaningful joy. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026 Some information is useful, some is harmful and some are half-truths that can cost you real money. — Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026 People who rely on half-truths often underestimate how visible their behavior becomes. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026 In this environment, influencers and politically motivated accounts now function as de facto broadcasters, often spreading half-truths, distortions or outright falsehoods with little accountability. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-truths

Noun

Closing that gap is where the real challenge—and opportunity—lies.

— Anand Solanki, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Another way to hold accountable those spreading lies online is to sue them.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of lies

Noun

The story gains a sense of momentum and inevitability as these disconnected tales suddenly become part of a continuous thread.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
And in 2017, historian Alberto (Carlos González) struggles to figure out how the two preceding tales intersect, stumped until an academic (Glenn Close in a brief, striking cameo) steps in to help.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tales

Noun

At the same time, media observers have raised concerns about possible distortions in the reach of political content on Meta platforms and have called for an investigation.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
These are two examples of politicians' truths among a plethora of others that are really lies, distortions, deceptions and desecrations of the citizens' trust in them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of distortions

Noun

Staffers for major political figures have puzzled over the content, and are growing concerned about the rise of a new wave of videos with errors, exaggerations, misleading comments, and a tone that can be downright weird.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Distracting from real issues These conspiracy theories are more than exaggerations for a broader audience.

— Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exaggerations

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half-truth

half-truths

halfway

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“Half-truths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-truths. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of half-truths

noun

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