mendacity

USAGE SUMMARY

'mendacity' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to dishonesty or untruthfulness, usually with the intent to deceive. For example, "His mendacity was certainly evident in the way he lied to the police about his involvement in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The famously unfettered Conservative minister Alan Clark refashioned that formula later, putting it up a notch or two in the mendacity league by telling the Matrix Churchill hearing on arms sales to Iraq that in answering parliamentary questions he'd been "economical with the actualité" – an answer honest enough to cause the trial to collapse.

The Guardian - Opinion

That little cherub is now at an age where Santa stuffs his stocking with a copy of Zombie Slaughterbastard III and some weapons-grade Clearasil, while his little brother, aged six, is quietly, forensically piecing together evidence of parental mendacity out of one eye while the other glances out of the window in hope of catching a glimpse of a reindeer.

The Guardian - Opinion

What matters here is first the mendacity.

The Guardian - Opinion

His theme was that loquacity can be all too easily pressed into service as a cover for mendacity.

The Economist

Given the Iraqi dictator's history of systematic mendacity, especially his well-documented and largely successful attempts to deceive the previous lot of UN inspectors, who withdrew from Iraq in 1998, the elected leaders of America and Britain may feel entitled to find such a question insulting.

The Economist

They revealed mendacity, callousness and fecklessness at the level of generals and presidents, in the eyes of the government's own analysts.

The Economist

The industry became a byword for mendacity, secrecy and profligacy with taxpayers' money.

The Economist

Mr Perry duly obliged.What elections are forComedy, vanity, pomposity, flashes of mendacity: the Republican campaign has not been edifying.

The Economist

The New World was so conducive to life and health, Vespucci opined, that "doctors would find it ruinous to live there".During his lifetime, Vespucci prospered from his mendacity.

The Economist

The events of June 5th in the town of Jisr al-Shughour, near the north-western border with Turkey, suggest that this may be starting to happen.An accurate version of what happened there is hard to confirm, because independent reporters are banned from Syria and the state media have plumbed the depths of mendacity.

The Economist

But this line is hard to square with Ms Kadeer's descriptions of Chinese brutality, mendacity and pettiness".Dragon Fighter" was originally published in German in 2007.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mendacity" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate and calculated untruthfulness. It's stronger than simply saying someone is mistaken or misinformed.

Common error

While "mendacity" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it in very casual conversations. Simpler words like "lying" or "dishonesty" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "mendacity" functions as a noun, typically used to denote the quality of being untruthful or dishonest. It can refer to a general disposition towards lying or a specific instance of deceit, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mendacity" is a noun denoting untruthfulness or dishonesty, often with the intent to deceive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, reflecting its role in critiquing and condemning dishonest behavior. While "mendacity" is a valid word, consider the formality of the context, opting for simpler terms like "lying" in casual settings. Related terms include "untruthfulness" and "dishonesty", which offer similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. The word carries a neutral to formal register, suggesting a more sophisticated usage than everyday conversation. Always use "mendacity" when you want to highlight the calculated nature of the untruth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untruthfulness

This is a direct synonym, focusing on the lack of truth.

dishonesty

This term highlights the lack of honesty and integrity.

deceitfulness

This emphasizes the act of deceiving others.

falsehood

This refers to a specific instance of lying or a false statement.

prevarication

This suggests evading the truth or speaking evasively.

duplicity

This highlights the act of being two-faced or double-dealing.

fabrication

This emphasizes the creation of a false story or account.

perjury

This refers specifically to lying under oath.

chicanery

This implies the use of trickery or deception to achieve a goal.

bad faith

This indicates a lack of sincerity or honesty, especially in dealings.

FAQs

What does "mendacity" mean?

"Mendacity" refers to untruthfulness, dishonesty, or the tendency to lie, often with the intent to deceive.

How do you use "mendacity" in a sentence?

You can use "mendacity" to describe a person's character or a specific instance of lying. For example, "The politician's speech was filled with "mendacity", making it difficult to believe anything he said."

What are some synonyms for "mendacity"?

Synonyms for "mendacity" include "untruthfulness", "dishonesty", "deceitfulness", and "falsehood".

Is "mendacity" a formal word?

Yes, "mendacity" is considered a more formal and sophisticated word than simpler terms like "lie" or "dishonesty". It's often used in academic, journalistic, and literary contexts.