Synonyms of mendacious

mendacious

adjective

men-ˈdā-shəs 

as in misleading

telling or containing lies

that tabloid routinely publishes the most moronically mendacious stories about celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misleading
• dishonest
• erroneous
• untruthful
• lying
• false
• fallacious
• untrue
• hypocritical
• insincere
• hypocrite
• perjurious
• two-faced
• smooth-tongued
• double-dealing
• mealymouthed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truthful
• honest
• straightforward
• open
• true
• candid
• earnest
• sincere
• veracious
• moral
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• reliable
• principled
• plainspoken
• trustworthy
• dependable
• virtuous
• honorable
• ethical
• trusty
• righteous
• respectable
• straight
• decent
• upright
• just
• trustable
• right-minded
• upstanding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mendacious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mendacious are deceitful, dishonest, and untruthful. While all these words mean "unworthy of trust or belief," mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit of telling untruths.

mendacious tales of adventure

When is deceitful a more appropriate choice than mendacious?

The words deceitful and mendacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deceitful usually implies an intent to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or double-dealing.

the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse

When might dishonest be a better fit than mendacious?

In some situations, the words dishonest and mendacious are roughly equivalent. However, dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order to deceive, cheat, or defraud.

a swindle usually involves two dishonest people

In what contexts can untruthful take the place of mendacious?

The meanings of untruthful and mendacious largely overlap; however, untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said and fact or reality.

an untruthful account of their actions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mendacious

Supporters of recent state AI regulations said the measures will address potential threats to public safety and personal privacy, and to counter any mendacious actions created by AI, while not hindering innovation. — Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026

In the dry California hills, an intentional community tries to build a pyre for one of its own, and, in the complex and mendacious aftermath, may end up sort of burning down the nation-state. — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

To claim the opposite rings hollow at best, if not mendacious. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025

But future generations in China, those not bound by the same baggage as the Xi family, may someday find their voice and want to overturn Mao’s old mendacious order. — Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2025

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