peddle falsehoods

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peddle falsehoods" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of spreading lies or misinformation, often in a deceitful manner. Example: "The politician was accused of peddling falsehoods to gain support for his campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But if American politicians peddle falsehoods about what goes on in other countries, Americans are correspondingly less likely to appreciate the extent to which they are being let down.The second thing to lament about the current apology for a debate is that it is giving the idea of controlling health-care costs a bad name.

The Economist

Over the course of his tenure as Press Secretary, Spicer would continue to peddle falsehoods.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Phil Woolas, the Labour MP who held the seat last May by just 103 votes, was later disqualified by a special electoral court for leaflets that peddled falsehoods about his Lib Dem opponent.John McCann, a Lib Dem councillor, says locals are sick of partisan "sniping", and that this makes the coalition an asset on the doorstep.

The Economist

The scriptures were full of "lies and contradictions"; Peter and Paul had peddled falsehoods.

Wikipedia

Donald Trump is simply peddling falsehoods and conspiracy theories in an attempt to divide the American people and win votes," Schwerin said in an email to us.

Huffington Post

He's also peddled falsehoods during his ongoing campaign rallies, doubled down on his attacks on the media and Democrats in Congress, and openly doubted sexual assault survivors who were protesting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Huffington Post

Joel criticized conservative media outlets for peddling falsehoods about the educational materials, calling it "regrettable" and "truly unfortunate" that the school was forced to waste time and resources responding to calls and questions about the handouts.

Huffington Post

Obama was accused of peddling convenient falsehoods while others said he was espousing concepts unworthy of an undergraduate university student.

Independent

He peddled in falsehoods (for example, a repeatedly disproved claim that he'd saved the city a billion Canadian dollars) and flat-out lies (he claimed not to have smoked crack, even though the video had been seen by numerous journalists, police, and others who described it in detail), and reiterated them loudly and unashamedly.

The New Yorker

To add to his shameful history of peddling blatant falsehoods about national tragedies, Jones has even lied about his lying.

Huffington Post

Several Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, on Monday continued to peddle the falsehood that a family separation policy does not occur.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peddle falsehoods" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and often self-serving nature of spreading false information. This phrase is particularly effective when the spreader benefits from the deception.

Common error

Avoid using "peddle" when you simply mean 'to say' or 'to state' something untrue. "Peddle" implies a continuous and strategic effort to promote falsehoods, not just a one-time mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peddle falsehoods" functions as a verb phrase where 'peddle' (verb) acts upon 'falsehoods' (noun). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase describes the action of actively promoting or spreading false information. This aligns with the examples provided, where the phrase is used to criticize individuals or entities for disseminating untruths.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "peddle falsehoods" describes the act of deliberately spreading false information, often for personal gain or to mislead others. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to accuse individuals or organizations of disseminating untruths. While there aren't a vast number of examples, the phrase is still recognizable and effective in conveying a sense of intentional deception. For alternative expressions, consider using "disseminate misinformation" or "spread lies" depending on the desired nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spread lies

Directly conveys the act of disseminating false information, simpler and more direct.

Disseminate misinformation

Focuses on the distribution of inaccurate information, sounding more formal and neutral.

Propagate untruths

Emphasizes the active promotion of false statements, suggesting a deliberate effort.

Circulate fabrications

Highlights the creation and spread of invented stories or lies.

Purvey fallacies

Suggests the marketing or selling of deceptive ideas or beliefs.

Promote deceptions

Focuses on actively encouraging acceptance of false beliefs or impressions.

Broadcast falsehoods

Implies a wide and public distribution of incorrect information.

Retail in lies

Portrays lying as a trade or business, focusing on its calculated nature.

Trade in deceit

Focuses on the deceptive aspect, suggesting the use of dishonesty for personal gain.

Vomit untruths

It's a colorful, somewhat hyperbolic way to describe speaking falsehoods.

FAQs

What does "peddle falsehoods" mean?

The phrase "peddle falsehoods" means to spread false information, typically in a persistent and strategic manner, often for personal gain or to deceive others. It suggests a deliberate effort to promote untruths.

How can I use "peddle falsehoods" in a sentence?

You can use "peddle falsehoods" to describe someone who is actively spreading misinformation. For example, "The politician was accused of "spreading lies" about their opponent to win the election."

What are some alternatives to "peddle falsehoods"?

Alternatives to "peddle falsehoods" include phrases like "disseminate misinformation", "spread lies", or "propagate untruths". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "peddle lies" or "peddle falsehoods"?

Both "peddle lies" and "peddle falsehoods" are acceptable. "Lies" is a more direct and emotionally charged term, while "falsehoods" is slightly more formal and neutral. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.