a complete untruth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete untruth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or claim that is entirely false or misleading. Example: "The accusation made against her was proven to be a complete untruth, as the evidence clearly showed her innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For his part, Teo last tweeted from his account on December 12. Reached for comment about the action taken and the complaint itself, Teo responded via email, "It's important to know that even a filed complaint can be made up of complete untruths".

TechCrunch

First, there is Morgan's writing, which combines so brilliantly an exaggerated empathy for what I'm probably not allowed to call the royals' plight with an uncanny ability to use half-truths (and even complete untruths) to achieve some (possibly dubious) higher veracity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everybody must be seen as the liars spouting complete untruths -- except him.

Huffington Post

At best, many investors now see the ratings given by S&P et al. as meaningless posturing, and at worst as complete untruths.

HuffPost

And apart from the vicious intrusions on his personal life and complete untruths about the events (Slater was NOT having sex when he was busted), we got our own real-life version of a gay Howard Beale.

Huffington Post

It was leadership behavior that caused, for example, a complete lack of corporation-wide trust, or a shut-down of business-critical communication up-flowing into the executive suite, or insidious untruths that de-motivated every important business partnership.

Huffington Post

Robert Greenstein, the executive director of the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, called Mr. Ryan's claim "somewhere between a misstatement and a flat-out untruth".

The New York Times

A big untruth.

The New York Times - Magazine

The suggestion was a despicable untruth.

The Washington Post

Armstrong: "A lie is a straight untruth".

The Guardian

A common untruth is that advocates give advice.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complete untruth", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the falsity of the statement being described. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim that it is, in fact, untrue.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as "a complete untruth" without providing sufficient evidence or justification. Overusing this phrase without backing can weaken your argument and damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete untruth" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a descriptor, typically used to identify something as entirely false. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable English phrase. The word "complete" emphasizes the total lack of truth in the statement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete untruth" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is entirely false. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you can substantiate your claim with evidence. Alternative phrases, like ""a total fabrication"" or ""an absolute falsehood"", can provide similar emphasis depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using it without justification, as it can weaken your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a total fabrication

Emphasizes the invented nature of the falsehood.

an absolute falsehood

Highlights the categorical falsity of the statement.

a blatant lie

Stresses the obvious and shameless nature of the lie.

a downright deception

Focuses on the act of misleading or deceiving.

a total misrepresentation

Highlights the distortion of facts.

a pack of lies

Suggests a collection of untruths, rather than a single one.

pure fiction

Implies the statement is entirely made up.

sheer invention

Highlights the creative aspect of the lie.

a deceptive statement

Focuses on the misleading quality of the statement.

a made-up story

Emphasizes the fabricated nature of the narrative.

FAQs

What does "a complete untruth" mean?

The phrase "a complete untruth" refers to a statement or claim that is entirely false; there is no element of truth in it whatsoever.

How can I use "a complete untruth" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete untruth" to describe a statement you believe is entirely false, such as: "The accusation that I stole the money is "a complete untruth".".

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete untruth"?

You can use alternatives like "a total fabrication", "an absolute falsehood", or "a blatant lie" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a complete untruth" or "a partial untruth"?

It depends on the situation. If the statement is entirely false, "a complete untruth" is appropriate. If it contains some truth but is mostly false or misleading, then describing it as partially untruthful would be more accurate.