a complete falsehood

USAGE SUMMARY

"a complete falsehood" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is entirely untrue or deceptive. Example: "The claim that he was never there is a complete falsehood." Alternative expressions include "a total lie" and "an outright falsehood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"But to say that is representative of the entire reef is a complete falsehood".

The Guardian

"Iain Duncan Smith's point-blank denial has been exposed as a complete falsehood.

The Guardian

And the vice-presidency is being upgraded into a prime ministership.An exaggeration, of course: but not a complete falsehood.

The Economist

It is a complete falsehood to assert, as the report did, that Palestinian militants stored ammunition in United Nations schools and smuggled arms in United Nations ambulances.

The New York Times

"In the current situation, the traction is that there is a whole conspiracy to remove him, and yet we know this is a falsehood, a complete falsehood.

The Guardian

That's a complete falsehood".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

So says Donald Trump anyway and his supporters have been sold—hook, line, and sinker on the complete falsehood that President Obama is a Muslim.

Huffington Post

We still did the correct thing and spoke to each and every player, to our Manager, to our kit manager and to our medical team, we now know this further allegation to be a complete and utter falsehood".

The Guardian - Sport

Complete falsehoods, self-justifications, rationalizations, outright lies, fantasies and miscommunication.

The New York Times - Arts

Sara Schaefer, who some will know from MTV's short-lived late night show Nikki and Sara Live, has turned that podcast format on its head, inviting guests to tell nothing but complete falsehoods as she interviews them about their lives.

The Guardian

At this point there shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that Apple's response to the FCC over its ban of Google Voice was rife with half-truths and some complete falsehoods.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this phrase in professional emails or public statements where the word "lie" might sound too emotional or confrontational.

Common error

Writers sometimes use falsehood when they mean falsity. Use falsehood to refer to a specific untrue statement or act of lying, and use "falsity" when discussing the abstract quality of being false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete falsehood" functions as a complex noun phrase where the adjective "complete" acts as an intensifier for the noun "falsehood". According to Ludwig, it typically serves as a predicate nominative after a linking verb or as the object of a preposition. It is used to categorize a statement as being entirely devoid of truth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a complete falsehood" is a robust and formal tool for writers who need to label a claim as entirely untrue. Data from Ludwig shows its high prevalence in quality journalism and academic discourse, where it serves as a powerful alternative to more colloquial terms. By using the intensifier "complete", the speaker leaves no room for nuance or partial truth, making it a definitive instrument for debunking misinformation. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports such a strong stance, as it is one of the most emphatic ways to dismiss an assertion in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete and utter falsehood

Adds extra emphasis with the redundant pair complete and utter.

an entirely false claim

Uses a more neutral, descriptive structure common in legal or logical contexts.

an outright lie

More direct and potentially accusatory than the more formal falsehood.

an absolute untruth

A slightly softer but still very formal way to describe a lack of truth.

a total fabrication

Emphasizes that the story was completely made up or invented.

a blatant lie

Suggests that the untruth is obvious and shameful.

pure fiction

Often used to dismiss a claim as being like a story rather than reality.

a mere fabrication

Downplays the importance of the claim by labeling it as simply made up.

a baseless accusation

Focuses on the lack of evidence supporting a specific charge.

a factual error

Suggests a mistake rather than intentional deception.

FAQs

What is the difference between a lie and a complete falsehood?

While both mean something is untrue, a lie often implies an intentional intent to deceive, whereas "a complete falsehood" can simply describe the objective status of a statement. Additionally, "a complete falsehood" is considered more formal than "a total lie".

Can I use a complete falsehood in a legal context?

Yes, it is very common in legal settings to describe "perjury" or "false statements" because it sounds more objective and less emotive than calling someone a liar.

Is it correct to say a complete falsehoods?

No, because complete falsehoods is plural, you must remove the indefinite article. You should say "complete falsehoods" instead.

What is a more sophisticated way to say a complete falsehood?

Depending on the context, you might use "an arrant falsehood" or describe it as "demonstrably false" if you have proof.